Inocencia

16-year-old Inocencia is in the tenth grade and dreams of becoming a doctor. She speaks candidly about her life: she wants people to know her story. For the past three years she and her 21-year-old brother have been living on their own, having lost their father to AIDS in 2004 and their mother when Inocencia was 5 years old. While their family visited when their father was still alive, once he died nearly their entire family (cousins, aunts, uncles) abandoned them. Their sole form of support, aside from one another, is Reencontro, and they generate income through renting a portion of a room in their house. About their lives, Inocencia says, “I can say that it is not okay. It is not pretty. Because when my parents died some neighbors and family abandoned us, although some are still supportive, but it is different than before. Now, my family will say hello in the street, but they will not come into our home. I asked my Uncle, why doesn’t anyone visit us? Why won’t people visit? We have nothing (AIDS).”

When asked what she would say to others in her community about losing her parents to AIDS, Inocencia says, “What I can say to my family, and my community, is that the most important thing is love, not money. Sometimes they say that they don’t visit us because they have nothing to give us. We need love, not things. Even with money you can still feel alone inside."

When asked what she learned from The House Is Small project, Inocencia said that through photography, and pictures, she has come to see the world in a different way.

comments from website visitors:

Ola Inocencia, es uma verdadeira fotografa. As fotos que estamos aqui vendo neste website, sao verdadeiramente apreciaveis. Boa sorte na sua careira.

NAMANI TRES
CHIMOIO
Posted Saturday, October 04, 2008 3:11AM

The composition of this photograph is incredible. Inocencia, you are a wonderful artist.

Julia
New York City
Posted Monday, July 28, 2008 8:54AM

Your pictures are awesome...keep striving to be that doctor but you should do photography as a side gig...girlfriend, you can be amazing!!!

Meoshia
Shreveport, la
Posted Wednesday, June 11, 2008 3:27AM

absolutely stunning photographs! you are so gifted. keep shooting. thanks so much for sharing.

tamala Poljak
los angeles
Posted Thursday, October 04, 2007 12:21PM

I'm trully in love with your pictures... They speak loudly without saying a word.

Francesca
Venice,CA
Posted Tuesday, September 04, 2007 2:22PM

Inocencia: You are doing a good job with these photos and have a great eye for color and composition! Can that little girl really carry that big yellow container when it's full of water?!

elise atearthlinkdotnet
Memphis TN
Posted Thursday, August 09, 2007 10:28AM

share your thoughts

take action

If the stories on this website move you, take action now and see how easy it is to make a difference.

What I can say to my family, and my community, is that the most important thing is love, not money. Sometimes they say that they don’t visit us because they have nothing to give us. We need love, not things. Even with money you can still feel alone inside.

photostream