Telling the Stories of San Lucas

Today is World Photography Day—a chance to celebrate the people behind the photographs that help us see, understand, and connect with the world around us.

What are the challenges in your work?

The biggest challenge in my position is making sure that each year we gather enough audiovisual material for FOSL. That means doing our very best to try to tell every story, every experience, and every expression of gratitude from the people who receive support from Mission San Lucas.

I know we cannot capture every single one, because through its different programs, the Mission helps thousands of people. But we try to overcome every obstacle so that we can deliver their message to donors and help them see the difference their support makes in the lives of people in San Lucas Tolimán and throughout Guatemala.

What is the most impactful story you have witnessed?

I have been working at the Mission for six years, and I cannot choose just one story out of the hundreds I have encountered. I can only say that whenever I work on a story, I have often thought, This is the case that has impacted me the most. But then the next day or the following week, I work on something new and think, This case is perhaps even more impactful than the previous one.

That makes me think that every story is impactful in its own way.

How has this work changed the way you see the world?

I can say that there are many stories in my mind and heart, and each one has been incredibly impactful. Among all of them, I would like to share one.

I had only been working at the Mission for three months when I went to the delivery of a concrete-block home. Everything was new to me, and I had many questions in my mind about what the home delivery would be like.

The family was living in extreme poverty. Their home was a single room made of old, damaged sheets of metal. Sunlight, heat, rain, wind, cold—absolutely everything affected the inside of their home. And to think that the parents had two children made me realize how worried they must have been.

The directors of the Charity and Construction programs spoke and officially presented the home to the family. I was doing my job, documenting the ceremony.

Then it was the mother’s turn to speak. She thanked everyone who was present and, of course, the donors who had made this miracle—a life-changing home for their family—possible.

Then, through deep sobs, tears that seemed to show that her life had been saved, the mother hugged each one of us and said, “Thank you. God bless you. Thank you so much.”

In that moment, I thought, How moving that this family is receiving this home. But I didn’t do anything throughout the process. Why is she thanking me? I don’t deserve this gratitude.

When I shared this thought with my colleagues, they told me, “We are a team! We all make this work.”

And then I understood.

I understood that, even though I was just beginning my work there, through my passion and my work I had the opportunity to preserve the emotions, gratitude, tears, and smiles of the people who benefit from these programs—to connect them with donors so that they could feel the satisfaction of knowing how their support is making a difference, and so that, in the future, it could make a difference for many other families.

Sometimes I think I would like to have the superpower to give every family exactly what they need. Unfortunately, we are not in a movie, and it doesn’t work that way. But that makes me grateful to God for the opportunity to have this job and, through it, to help people receive some kind of benefit.

Since then, I have been more conscious that we all live different realities, but through my work I can help make a difference.

What does it mean to you to be responsible for documenting these stories?

Being responsible for documenting all of this carries a significant emotional weight. In six years of work, I have encountered hundreds of sad and impactful stories. But knowing that we can carry the message of the people who benefit from these programs to people in another country who have chosen to support people they don’t even know—that is something that is satisfying and exciting every day.

Knowing that we can connect donors with the people who benefit from their support is both exciting and a great responsibility. We have to communicate their message effectively and follow the proper process, from speaking with the people we are documenting to sending the material to FOSL for distribution to donors.

What do you hope to continue learning or exploring in your creative work?

I always want to improve. I always think that each time, we can do things better. And it helps tremendously that every situation we encounter across the different programs fills us with emotions, which we use as inspiration to generate ideas and find ways to communicate these stories to donors.

How do you handle the responsibility of telling real stories with respect and dignity?

Many times, it is difficult to know and decide what we can share and what we should not share about something a person has expressed. Even if they shared it during an interview or visit, there are things that are very personal to them that they may have felt comfortable enough to tell us in that moment.

So many times, I try to put myself in their place and think, How would I feel if everyone knew this about me, my family, or my life?

That helps me discern what parts of each person’s story should be shared and gives me peace of mind knowing that we are telling a story that will help rather than harm people who are already facing difficult circumstances.

What has surprised you the most since you began this work?

From the beginning until today, I continue to be surprised that every day there can be a new situation, a family in need of something—or in need of many things.

That means there is a story that can be told, and perhaps that story can make a difference for some people or for everyone.

Is there a person or moment that represents the spirit of the Mission to you?

Personally, I never knew Father Gregorio, but I am aware of his legacy.

And every expression of gratitude I hear from the families, to me, means that the spirit of the Mission is still there. The years of tireless work by Father Gregorio continue to positively impact thousands of people.

What have you learned from the people you have photographed or recorded?

At a home delivery, the official ceremony took place. The family was very happy to experience this life-changing transformation.

Through tears of emotion and smiles, the father said, “We are very grateful. We don’t know the sponsors, but we bless them for this gift. And we cannot repay you who are here, but we have something to give you as a thank you.”

He then proceeded to give each of us a small bottle of water and a cookie.

My heart felt so many things when I thought about the fact that this father—who struggles every day to earn Q25–Q50 to provide food for his family and help them survive—had spent money to buy something for us as a way of showing how much this gift meant to him.

Of course, we could not refuse it. We accepted the gift with some heaviness in our hearts, knowing that for them, it was a joy to share something from the little they had.

So I can say that gratitude and giving regardless of how much I have are things these families have taught me.

What would you like donors to better understand about the community through your work?

It is true that through our work, we help tell stories about the hardships many families face. But that does not mean that these people are worth less. We all have the same value.

It is simply that, unfortunately, some families in our community do not have the economic opportunities to support themselves in the way they would like.

What is your favorite photo or video that you have taken?

I cannot say that I have a favorite photo or video. But I think that is a good thing, because it demonstrates that every story is so valuable that it deserves to be shared because of the change it has brought to the people who benefit from these programs.

Every photo and video has great meaning for me.

What is your favorite part of your work?

My favorite part is remembering that I make a living doing something that doesn’t feel like work.

It does require physical and mental effort, but it is incredibly fulfilling.

It doesn’t matter whether we are documenting the delivery of food supplies, beds, or homes; purchasing coffee; listening to students at the school; learning about a woman’s story through the workshops; hearing about how someone’s life has changed because of a surgery; or spending time with visitors.

Every moment fills us with happiness.

Knowing that, directly or indirectly, we contribute to changing someone’s life in our community—that is my favorite part.

Some of Eleazar’s favorite photos that he has taken over the years!