The Perdomo family is strikingly beautiful. Their eyes are haunting and mysterious.
If they lived in a developed nation it is easy to envision how their life might be different.
A beautiful young mom taking her children to the park in the morning,
the star football player who would soon have girls swooning over him,
or a future cheerleader.
However, in their circumstances, they are merely fighting for their survival. They don’t have the luxury of extracurricular activities, or hours of time and extra money to spend shopping or worrying about how they look.
Their concerns are simple and stem from necessity.
Will there be enough money?
How will they pay for school supplies?
What will they eat tonight?
Two of the children live elsewhere–the oldest son where he can be sponsored for school, and the oldest daughter with her grandmother, where there is more room than in their one-room home. The family being separated is heartbreaking, but seems to be for the best.
Rita lives with her husband, who works to provide for them, but employment is a struggle and opportunities are sparse.
It is difficult as a parent to feel that you can’t fully provide for your children. Having to sometimes go without the necessities of life which so many throughout the world take for granted is a source of both concern and sadness for Rita.
There is a sense of hopelessness, as Rita relies on the chance that she will one day be able to see her children succeed so that they might care for her.
The bag of groceries we have to give to this family will serve to ease their burdens, only for a short time.
And bring a spark of joy for a moment.
Written by Shalyce Cluff; Photography by Jose Miguel Amaya
Life Differently 