Anyone who has watched or read the news recently, or any time in the last century for that matter, will agree that the world is not as it should be. Over the last two months that I have spent here in Guatemala, I have witnessed the darkness that exits in a very tangible way. After nearly 40 years of brutal civil war (which lasted well up until the tail end of the last century), the roots of violence and lawlessness run deep. As a result, the weeds of murder, corruption and poverty are still very much alive to this day. This is country where those whose duty it is to serve, protect and provide stability, take advantage of those who are ignorant and powerless. It is a place where poverty is the status quo, where violence boldly rules the streets in broad daylight, where fear and distrust cripple the hearts and minds of the people. As we all know, this situation is not unique to Guatemala but only one of many examples of this broken world. However, it does not do any good to simply stare out into that darkness, telling everyone how dark it is (i.e. most media), expecting SOMEONE to do something about it. I am tired of seeing images of sad starving children, destroyed homes, violence and hopelessness. We know this already. It is time to start asking, “what is right in the world and how can I do to spread more of it?”

I believe with all my heart that this world can change, but only when each one of us takes personal responsibility for the way things are. Our hope is not in better government policies, programs or institutions but in individuals and communities that seek out the light (all that is right, good and true) and allow their hearts and minds to be transformed to live rightly. I am not saying big institutions do not make a difference, but even a bright light can only reach so far before it fades into darkness. A city full of lights, however, will illuminate even the darkest corners. It is our duty, as stewards of this world, to bring that light into the dark places by using our unique strengths and opportunities to impact those around us. One truth that I hold onto and hope in is the fact that darkness is simply the absence of light. light will always displace darkness!

During my time here in Antigua I have been very encouraged to see some of this light shining out through a great number of NGO’s, missionaries and other non-profit organizations, full of volunteers from every walk of life, all striving to improve the lives of people here in this country. One of these organizations I stumbled upon is Niños de Guatemala, whose mission is to help build a better future for Guatemala and its citizens by setting up and supporting community-based projects, with the involvement of the local community. This project began a few years ago when two young travelers from the netherlands Came to Guatemala to take part in volunteer worked at various schools, both in Guatemala City and Antigua. There, they witnessed first-hand how some Guatemalan people lived in extreme poverty, and were astonished to learn that only a small percentage of the children attended school. Eventually this prompted the two to do something more and soon after Niños de Guatemala was born. The first project began in 2008 when the organization built a school, with the help of the people of Ciudad Vieja, called “Nuestro Futuro”. This school is for the children of families in the local community that would otherwise be unable to afford to send them to school. This group understands the importance of investing in the next generation to help produce long term changes for the better in the community of Ciudad Viejo. To learn more about this project, and to find out how you can volunteer or support this project, you can visit their website at http://www.ninosdeguatemala.org.

After getting to know some of the dedicated volunteers and staff of this organization, I was invited to come to the school photograph the kids. My passion as a photographer is literally and figuratively capture “the light” through my work. I hope that these images will encourage you to share in my belief that wherever there is light, darkness cannot exist. Let us spread that hope and encourage others to do the same!