AFPHA EXPO 2.0 showcases daily struggles of ordinary Haitians through the lenses of women photographers

PORT-AU-PRINCE —  The Association of Women Photographers of Haiti (AFPHA) held Monday the second edition of AFPHA EXPO 2.0 in Pétion-Ville, a southeast Port-au-Prince suburb, celebrating the International Day of Photography. The exhibition, themed “Bese Leve yon Ayisyen”— Creole for “Down and Up of Haitians” — featured the work of over ten young women photographers who aimed to highlight the stoic and true grit of the Haitian people amidst current challenges.

The exhibition focused on the lives of those in the sectors deemed the central pillars of Haitian society. These include drivers, street vendors, disabled people, farmers, and Madan Sara — women who buy, sell, and distribute food and other goods throughout Haiti — who struggle to survive in a nation plagued by gang violence, particularly in the metropolitan area of Port-au-prince and the Artibonite region.

Frédeline Victor, a photographer with just one year in the field, captured the plight of the Madan Saras, who bear the brunt of road insecurity. Many of these women can no longer return to the public markets of Port-au-Prince, which are now controlled by gangs. On the National Road #2 alone, they face more than eight gang-imposed toll booths. Despite these challenges, they play a crucial role in the economy, providing goods that the state cannot, Victor explained to The Haitian Times.

“I took this photo to show the living conditions of a Madan Sara and the risks they take to support us and their families,” Victor said. “Despite the situation in the country, they risk crossing roads controlled by bandits and sometimes face kidnapping and rape.”

Victor contributed two photographs to the exhibition. One image depicts a father living in Pétion-Ville who collects garbage from the city’s public markets to earn a living. This photo captured Victor’s attention as she documented a moment from the man’s day. Witnessing this reality, Victor believes that this man should be at home resting and enjoying the fruits of his labor.

The harms of insecurity in Haiti are visible. Each sector suffers the consequences in its own way. National and international human rights organizations have continued to document the human and material damage caused by gang violence that controls more than 80% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. 

The latest figures on the situation in the country presented by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) reveal that 1,379 people were killed and injured by gunshots by armed groups, and at least 428 people were kidnapped for ransom during the second quarter of 2024. Gang violence has moved within the country around 580,000 people, 54% of whom are women and girls, according to the IOM. Meanwhile, nearly half of Haiti’s population faces severe food insecurity, with 1.64 million people in the emergency phase and 3.32 million in crisis. 

 “I took this photo to show the living conditions of a Madan Sara and the risks they take to support us and their families. Despite the situation in the country, they risk crossing roads controlled by bandits and sometimes face kidnapping and rape.”

Photographer Frédeline Victor 

These consequences of insecurity affect Haiti’s most vulnerable and impoverished, who seek to survive with their limited means, estimates photographer Magdalanouca Estimable. As part of this exhibition on the resilience of Haitians, Estimable presented a single photo. In her photo, Estimable captures a disabled person in his daily life as a vehicle washer. He owns this small car wash with which he takes care of his family.

However, the impact of insecurity in Haiti is evident across all sectors, each suffering in unique ways. National and international human rights organizations continue to document the significant human and material damages caused by gang-fueled violence in the nation.

“The message I want to share through my work is that, despite the lack of activity in the country, Haitians remain committed to work,” Estimable said. She explained that her experience has shown her the humanistic nature of people in Haiti. 

“ I am pleased to have used my camera to highlight the potential of the Haitian people,” Estimable told Haitian Times, emphasizing the significance of her work. 

Along with Estimable in the exhibition hall was photographer Saïka Arnoux, whose work explores the resilience of a mechanic repairing motorcycles. Arnoux aimed to highlight the value of these professionals within the challenging context of the country’s insecurity. She noted that these workers are often undervalued in Haitian society.

“I created this photo to emphasize the importance of repairers, as they are essential in fixing flat tires on cars and motorcycles,” Arnoux said, expressing pride in her work and hoping her message will reach many people in the country.

The photographers in the exhibition, who are mostly college students and all in their 20s,  documented the risky daily lives of Haitians with limited economic means and experienced the frustrations of many of their subjects. 

They recounted how capturing these photos was challenging due to the context of violence and kidnapping. “People are suspicious and afraid; taking their photo without consent is out of the question. For them, it’s a matter of life, death, or kidnapping,” some said.

For one, Christelle Dorlus shared her experience photographing a man who makes a living fixing flat tires. Dorlus had to provide extensive explanations to gain permission for the photo. She reflected on how, despite all the country’s problems, including dust and gunfire, these workers continue to earn a living on the streets. This exhibition marks the first time Dorlus has showcased her work in her four-year career.

“With insecurity, people are reluctant to let their photos be taken because they don’t know what photographers will do with their images. But it is important to show how each Haitian is trying to survive in the current situation in the country,”  added Dorlus.

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AFPHA EXPO 2.0 showcases daily struggles of ordinary Haitians through the lenses of women photographers was first posted on August 21, 2024 at 9:43 am.