Through interviews, the visitor collaborates with the people of the community to stage photographs of their memories, fears and dreams. She also takes portraits that reflect people´s complex identities. Through the process she learns more about their migration experience and how they have reconstructed their identity, life and community in Sucúa Haven, the place they now call home. (In progress)
Diana: “ I do not miss Ecuador, I miss my mom”.
Marta: In 2006, I left my country leaving the people that are most important to me, my daughter, my mother and my siblings. In 2021, after 14 years, I was able to see my daughter again.
Jorge: At the end of the 90´s, I dreamt of studying architecture. Nevertheless, this was not possible because of lack of resources. I decided to migrate so I could save money. I started working on a construction company pushing the broom. After 19 years I am working for the third biggest construction company in the state as a project manager.
Fernando: In 2018, I was finishing my architecture degree. My son was born and decided to migrate to the US. I am working in construction. Here I make more money doing that than what I could make in Ecuador as an architect. I wish I could finish my degree but education here is too expensive.
Vanessa: Since I arrived in New Haven three months ago, the narco violence has exploded in Ecuador. There has been a man wrapped in explosives, bombs and more hit men. The piece island that Ecuador once was doesn´t exist anymore. Fear is gonna make us migrate, again.
Alex: “My parents came to New Haven over 20 years ago from Cuenca. My dreams for this city include providing more opportunities and helping both people born here and those who come to this city to have a better life for themselves and their families.”.
In Sucúa Haven, a house like this can be a hair salon, a betting poker place, or an Ecuadorian food restaurant. It can be a consulting room for a doctor who is also a bartender or for the dentist who is also a delivery man. A house like this can also be a home.
