This is Our Life:Global Visions of Health and Well Being

“Visual images tell powerful stories. Many of our ideas and opinions about ourselves and others are shaped and influenced by the stories presented to us and about us by ‘big media’ companies. By people who are more concerned to increase their audience ratings and corporate profits than they are to represent the diverse reality of human lives. Their sensationalist stories are told for to create profit, to support political agendas that favour the rich and powerful. But know that is beginning to change. The rapid development of digital media and communications technologies in the last few years has shifted the balance of power and now we can tell our own stories. Working together in participatory media projects such as Visible Voice we are learning how to understand our own lives. By sharing our ideas and experiences in public exhibitions we raise our own voices and claim ownership over our own life stories, ambitions and dreams. In this exhibition we are bringing together visual exhibits that provide an insight into the different ways that we experience and think about health and well being.”

It is a travelling exhibition of everyday life that began in the herder communities living in remote mountain valleys of Kyrgyzstan. A small idea for a collaborative research project that would give voice to the everyday lives concerns and hopes of ordinary people in search of a better life. It grew into a potent, self directed form of Visual Activism emerging from projects in the Rocinha favela, Rio de Janeiro and which is evident and active in Visible Voice projects with refugee and migrant communities in England, and which reaches out to connect with people and communities across the world in search of a better life for all.

This collection of images and visual narratives has been produced by researchers, students and project participants linked to the Visible Voice network. Visible Voice uses of the potential of participatory video and photography as a means to bring people together to share their experiences of everyday life, health and well being. Visible Voice is a collaborative ethnographic and community engagement project founded by Vincent O’Brien and sustained by the work of Visible Voice partners and communities around the world.

This is not an art exhibition.

As a visual ethnographer I take photographs everywhere I go. I am fascinated and often moved by the things I see around me when I travel, when I come into contact with people who are different from me. Taking photographs, talking and listening to people as I go, I try to make sense of my own life through understanding the lives of others. As a migrant myself I am interested in the lives and experiences of other people who choose to migrate or have been forced to migrate through political and economic forces outside their control.

KyrgyzstanI have been to Kyrgyzstan many times since I started working there in 2002. In 2006 I set up Visible Voice when, with my friends and colleagues Kenesh Dzhusupov, Nazgul Esengulova and Tamara Kudaibergenova, we started our work in the remote mountain villages of Kokjar and Tolok. These images show some of work we have been doing in Visible Voice, and give a brief insight into the culture and everyday life of Kyrgyz people today.

RomaThe Roma people are, by tradition, nomadic people who migrated from India and travelled across Europe about 1000 years ago. Today, in Europe, the Roma people face intense discrimination and social deprivation. Their lifestyle and cultural values are at odds with those of settled people and many families live in extreme poverty because of these cultural differences. The images were taken during ethnographic field trips to Romania in 2010.

Thailand In 2010, on a family, holiday to Thailand we stayed briefly with the Palong people, an indigenous hill tribe community who have migrated to northern Thailand to escape persecution by the military regime in neighbouring Burma. They are semi nomadic people who periodically move their village gardens and plantations as they migrate through the forests in the hill country.

Vincent OʼBrien

Vincent was born in Dublin, Ireland. He lives in the North West of England where he is Professor of International Health and Visual Ethnography at the University of Cumbria.

He is also Visiting Professor at the Centro de Ciências Biológicas e de Medicina, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

England

Aibek and Saltanat film the opening shots for their film about the importance of livestock breeding as a means of sustaining everyday life, health and well being in the village of Tolok.

Kyrgyzstan

Nazgul shares video recordings with children in Kokjar village.

Karakolka is home to 14 herder families from one tribal group who spend the cold winter months in isolation protecting their animals from wolves, bears and other predators.

In winter the remote village of Karakolka is cut off from the outside world by heavy snows which cover the

mountain passes. When older children leave the village to attend school in the lower villages only the youngest

children can stay with their parents in the village.

A young child waits for the winter snows in the remote mountain village of Karakolka.

A young child waits for the winter snows in the remote mountain village of Karakolka.

“Wearing gold is important for Roma women. We like to show that we are Roma and we have wealth.”

Romania

Roma women marry young and often have many children.

“Our parents are out working. They earn about 20 cents a Kilo by collecting scrap metal”

“Iʼm 23, I have 4 children. We have no money, my husband left me for a younger woman. Sheʼs 13.”

“This is our bed. We all sleep here, but itʼs cold in the winter”

Monasteries can be an important source of support for some of the poorest families.

“I walked 70 Km from our village to the temple to become a monk when I was 7. I spent 10 years there. I learned to read and

write, and I had food and clothes.”

Thailand

“Everywhere you go you find monks, temples and gold leaf covered statues. When I see this I wonder if I was a Buddhist how would this influence how I live?”

Palong women make textiles and crafts to sell to passing tourists.

“The last government supported tourism in the hill tribe villages. But this one doesnʼt do anything and

we have no way to make a living.”

Situated in remote, isolated areas of the country some communities are struggling to survive in a changing economic climate.

Despite the difficulties of everyday life, people in Thailand can always find a smile for a passing stranger.

Ian Convery

England

Ian is a Senior Lecturer in the National School of Forestry. His doctoral work was linked an African Development Bank project to rehabilitate Gorongosa National Park in Sofala Province, central Mozambique. He is a highly experienced researcher, comfortable in both qualitative and quantitative research traditions, though he has worked mainly with ethnographic methods and participative methodologies

The images presented here show how traditional dress is an evident and valued part of contemporary Kyrgyz identity. The images were taken during a field work visit to Kyrgyzstan in 2010.

Kyrgyz culture places strong emphasis on the nomadic traditions of hospitality

towards strangers and respect for elders.

Kyrgyz people should know the names of 7 generations of grandfathers to

encourage men live honourable lives.

Hello! My name is Atai. I’m 14 years old and I live in Kyrgyzstan, in a beautiful and green city, Bishkek.

I’m studying in a gymnasium school. I just finished eighth grade and moved up to ninth.

One of my hobbies is taking photographs. I especially like to take photos of ordinary people with interesting faces going about their everyday lives.

For this exhibition I’ve taken pictures of my neighbourhood.

I’m not professional photographer, but in my photos I wanted to show not only the faces but also a history of our neighbourhood through the pictures.

Atai Osconbaev

Kyrgyzstan

In my neighbourhood, there are a lot of little kids.

In my neighbourhood, there are a lot of little kids.

In summer time most of them spent their time, morning to evening, playing in the playground and in the yards.

In summer time most of them spent their time, morning to evening, playing in the playground and in the yards.

A couple of days ago I went to see my friend and he showed me some tricks on his bike. I photographed him and some of the little kids riding bikes, scooters and

skates.

A couple of days ago I went to see my friend and he showed me some tricks on his bike. I photographed him and some of the little kids riding bikes, scooters and skates.

In our district labourers are spreading asphalt on road, in one of photos some of the men are washing themselves after a long, hard, working day. I think they

are satisfied with their work.

In our district labourers are spreading asphalt on road, in one of photos some of the men are washing themselves after a long, hard, working day. I think they are satisfied with their work.

In these pictures you can see some of the children and adolescents who earn money to help pay for books and pens for school next year. Some of them help by selling fruits and other foods like watermelons and bread.

The Bazaar is the most interesting place to take pictures. You can meet a lot of different people with interesting faces. This time I took pictures of adults and kids working in the Bazaar.

Nazgul Esengulova

Adilet has a degree in sociology and has been working on various community projects in Kyrgyzstan over the last five years. He has worked on participatory video projects with Visible Voice and Ak Terek as well as on conflict resolution projects with communities in the border areas of southern Kyrgyzstan.

Nazgul is Director of Ak Terek, a Kyrgyz NGO working with semi nomadic herder communities in remote rural areas of Kyrgyzstan.She has been working in nature conservation and community development in Kyrgyzstan the last 10 years. She is currently studying land management and conservation in Iceland.In her work Nazgul aims to link issues of environmental and cultural sustainability to people's well being. Currently she is interested to explore effects of land degradation on people's lives.Nazgul is an Honorary Lecturer in the Faculty of Health and Well Being at the University of Cumbria and contributes to the MSc in International Health.

Kyrgyzstan

Adilet Bekboev

In Soviet times Tolok village, Kyrgyzstan, was part of a big Soviet livestock breeding enterprise, but the number of animals far exceeded capacity of land. Dust storms are more common now in Tolok because of increasing desertification.

The animals are less healthy today and villagers are loosing their livestock because of lack of fodder in the long cold winter.

Pure water-the secret of long life.

Breakdown of water and drainage systems has caused salinisation of land in most of rural areas of Kyrgyzstan. 70% of the Kyrgyz population live in rural areas and are heavily dependent on agriculture to support everyday life

Irregular supplies of clean water leaves people to drink dirty water.

Ashok Kumar Ghosh is Professor-in-Charge in the department of Environment and Water Management, A.N.College, Magadh University, Patna, India. He is engaged in research in the area of water quality, especially arsenic and fluoride contaminations in groundwater resources. His projects include working on impact of pollution on biodiversity of river Ganges in collaboration with University of Michigan, USA. He has a strong interest in photography and always brings his camera with him when he is away on scientific field trips. His other roles include:

• International Scientific Advisor,research project for Arsenic studies-PRAMA University of Manchester• Collaborator for Conservation studies under Cambridge-India Partnership.• Advisor to WaterAid India• Advisor to East Zone Water partnership, an affiliate of Global Water Partnership• Principal Investigator- arsenic-affected groundwater in Bihar- UNICEF. • Risk Assessment of Population in Arsenic Affected Areas in Bhojpur District, Bihar.• Erasmus Mundus Fellow, University of Applied Sciences, Karlsruhe, Germany.

Ashok Kumar Ghosh

India

The majestic river Ganga, which originates from the Himalayas, passes through many states of India and finally merges into the sea through Bay of Bengal. Many cities and villages are located on the banks of the river Ganga. Patna is one of these cities.

The Ganga brings a huge quantity of silt which is deposited as new alluvium. The new alluvium is home for the poor who live on the river banks. The new alluvium contains arsenopyrite - a combination of Iron and arsenic, a human health hazard often described as

“slow poison”.

Arsenic contaminated ground water is used both for drinking and cooking. Arsenic ingested by human beings accumulates in the body.

There are many adverse effects of arsenic poisoning such as; Keratosis, Melanosis, Leucomelanosis and even cancer.

In collaboration with University of Applied Sciences,Karlsruhe, Germany, our research team has developed and tested a Reverse Osmosis system. This one is in the arsenic affected district of Bindtoli, near Patna.

The children exposed to the arsenic threat in Bindtoli are now getting arsenic free water through this initiative.

Happy kids with their health protected !

Born in the Southern Philippines Jo Ann moved to United Kingdom in 2003 with her 4 daughters to join her husband who works as a nurse in Barrow-in-Furness. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Tourism in 1990 from the University of the Philippines. Jo Ann has previously worked with British Embassy in Manila, before coming to UK. She is a freelance consultant and trainer working on multicultural issues with schools, children and families in South Cumbria. She is an active member of the ‘Alien Films’ within the Cumbria Multicultural Women’s Network and is currently working on a number of new film projects in Partnership with Visible Voice.

Jo Ann Marie Rosquillo Saltiga

EnglandCumbria Multicultural Womenʼs Network

Mano PoA grandson remembering his Filipino heritage by performing a ʻmanoʼ to his grandmother who is visiting them in the UK for the first time. ʻMano poʼ (pronounced mah-noh poh) refers to a physical gesture of taking the hand of an elder and bringing it towards your forehead. This is a sign of respect for the elder and is usually done at the point of greeting or farewell. Children are expected to perform this gesture towards adult relatives and adult family friends. Failure to perform ʻmano poʼ would be considered as disrespectful.Most of the Filipino children who have migrated to the UK with their parents are losing their own cultural identity. They are the new generation of the Filipino-British society.It is a struggle for most Filipino parents in UK to raise their children with the Filipino values and traditions. Things have changed because of the migration and children are most likely to adapt the host countryʼs values and attitudes which are different from those of their parents.

Mahal Kita Apo

“Mahal kita apo” means “I love you my grandchild”. This picture captures the emotion which has been suppressed for many years because of distance. The grandson has been separated from his grandmother because of economic migration to UK.

This is a common story for a lot of Filipino nurses who came to work in the UK. At home in the Philippines grandparents play a very important role in most families. They are the centre of everything. Sadly, many Filipino children in the UK will grow up away from their grandparents.

These images show members of Cumbria Multicultural Womenʼs Network working together writing a radio play for the BBC. The playʼs central crisis point is the moment a local girl pulls off the scarf of a Muslim woman who is walking alone on the street. Through

individual personalities, the play reflects themes of concern to the women such as:

misperceptions which lead to a degree of xenophobia between two very different cultures within a small communityquestions of identity for young girls from each of these cultures.

insecurities that affect personal, family and group behaviourresolutions which come as a result of personal development and interventions

Wendy Rowe

Wendy lives in South Cumbria where is an active member of the Cumbria Multicultural Women’s Network. Wendy is working as part of a group developing a radio play about migration and migrant women’s lives. Wendy is also a member of the ‘Alien Films’ group within Cumbria Multicultural Women’s network and is working on a number of new film projects in partnership with Visible Voice.

EnglandCumbria Multicultural Womenʼs Network

Lisa Mok Julie Fu

Julie Fu is an artist and photographer who was born and has lived in Hong King. Julie grew up in Barrow, south Cumbria and now lives in Manchester. – Julie is an active member of Wai Yin and the Cumbria Multicultural Women’s network.

Lisa Mok was born in Hong Kong. She now lives in Manchester, England where she works as a social worker with migrant and refugee women at Wai Yin Chinese Women Society. Wai Yin is a partner group sharing projects and social activities with the Cumbria Multicultural Women’s Network.

EnglandCumbria Multicultural Womenʼs Network

”In 2008, I have experienced quite a few difficulties in my life – my father’s ill health, relationship crisis of my marriage, and to need to juggle part time study and full time job. I found myself facing a lot of stress, but did not know how to relieve the stresses I come across at that time. I also noticed that my mental health became very fragile. At times, I wanted to punch something to relieve my frustration and emotional turmoil. Coincidentally, I received information about a Boxing Club for men and women; I immediately went to join the club.

It helped me tremendously: each time I punched the sand bags, I felt that I was punching the difficulties of my life, I was fighting back. I punched, I yelled, I sweated, and I felt a lot better after a few classes – mentally and physically. To me, the sand bag symbolises the bad times, crisis, difficulties, etc. Punching the sand bag is like fighting for my life back, and itʼs like ʻnever give up, no compromiseʼ.

I still remember in the first class, some of my male boxing course mates asked me why I joined Boxing – I told them, ʻyou donʼt want to knowʼ …and gave them a sweet smile. I am glad that I have found the Boxing advertisement and I am still doing it.”

Kim Farr

England

Kim Farr has been working in volunteering, community work and health related projects for the last 10 years both in Manchester and Cumbria. She feels that people from all parts of the local community benefit from enjoying the outdoors and taking part in activities that improve their environment and connect them with nature and food growing. Making friends and working together to create habitats, learn about wildlife and develop gardens creates a sense of achievement and well being.

Kim has recently completed her MSc in Public Health and Social Change at the University of Cumbria.

Ford Park Community Group

Many volunteers contribute to the food growing project on our Community Mornings. This can include people with health problems, people who have retired and those with learning difficulties.

Volunteers learn how to construct raised beds with support from a National Trust Ranger.

In the Woodland area volunteers put up bird and bat boxes they have made.

A group of volunteers constructed a living willow arbour with support from a Cumbrian willow specialist. By the summer this was covered in leaves and many people came to sit and picnic in it as a lovely natural space.

A work placement student on a Community Gardening Day. Heʼs grown in confidence and gone on to a course at Newton Rigg, but still volunteers during his holidays.

A volunteer learns how to lay a Beech hedge so that a new hedge springs from a old one

A Conservation Group of adults with learning difficulties who have been presented with their John Muir Environmental Award certificates by the Chairman of Ford Park Trustees as part of a celebration lunch event

Many family activity events are held at Ford Park to encourage parents and children to create something together. This photograph is from an afternoon spent making kites from recycled materials

This  presentation  was  created  by  LAZO  members:

Angela BretonNubia CermenoElsy FuentesMarianela LeonAna Mercedez-GuerraGlenda RamirezAysa RieraTeotiste Wood

Thanks toPicture This...Migrant Lives, Healthy Lives Research Team:Dr. Denise Spitzer (Principal Investigator), Canada Research Chair in Gender, Migration and Health, Social Sciences, University of Ottawa *Dr. Caroline Andrew (Co-Investigator), Centre on Governance, University of OttawaDr. Michèle Kérisit (Co-Investigator), School of Social Work, University of OttawaSara Torres (Project Partner), PhD Candidate, Population Health, University of OttawaTracey Prentice (Research Assistant), PhD Candidate, Population Health, University of OttawaMitchell Kutney (Technical Advisor)Sophie Hargest (Technical Advisor)* Denise Spitzer is a Visiting Professor at the University of Cumbria

City for All Women Initiative (CAWI)Funding for the Picture This project was provided by The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) - Image, Text, Sound and Technology Program

LAZO

CanadaLatin American Womenʼs Support Organization

Welcome to Canada!

“Everything is new and beautiful”

The Honeymoon

“With the world in my hands”

“Full of hope for my new life”

I will learn English and look for a job.”

Finding out some barriers

“Learning two languages at the same time?

“I wonder when the bus for Downtown is coming....”

The Job search

Pretty good qualifications but....can you operate a deep

fryer?

This is my degree. Wait! What? Canadian experience?

There is only one thing left to do.

Welcome to Winter!

Feeling lonely and unsettled

“I donʼt understand. Nobody understands me, Nothing belongs to me,

Where do I belong? Who am I?

What am I doing here? I can't find myself."

Too sad to move forward with life and keep the balance

Many ailments reflect the acculturation stress

Difficul'es  finding  a  family  doctor?“Who  would  spend  -me  explaining  what’s  wrong  with  my  health,  and  speak  slowly?”  

Adjusting to the new environment

Health is having a good life style

“When you get involved in your community activities, keep busy, have positive thoughts,

exercise and remain learning,your body and your mind are better prepared to succeed”.

“Now Iʼm part of this country.I deserve...”

“I have lots to offer…”“I have learned the language!”

Health is finding a way to contribute to the new society and feeling worthy

Laughter is good for the soulHealth is keeping our good sense of humour despite lifeʼs challenges

“With the legacy I brought, I make new footprints, and feel that I belong”

Nassra is a full time PhD student at the University of Cumbria. She lives with her husband and family in Calgary, Canada. Nassra is interested in how social work interventions can help improve quality of life for people in a village community in Pakistan.

These highly candid and personal photographs illuminate issues surrounding poverty, lack of sanitation and clean water, scarce resources and non-existent government support; offering a glimpse into the lives of individuals living in ʻSohanʼ village which is ironically only a few miles away from an affluent capital city of Islamabad in Pakistan. There are no schools or medical facilities available at Sohan village. The villagers receive only four hours of electricity in a day and have absolutely no access to gas supply which is needed for cooking and heating. The smiles of the village children depicted in these pictures are embodiment of human strength, hope and courage.

Nassra Khan

Canada

Sarah Sy graduated from the University of Waterloo, Ottawa, Health Studies Program in 2006, doing a 4-month exchange at St. Martin’s University College (now the University of Cumbria). She’s worked in various healthcare organisations in Canada, including Health Canada, the Canadian Institute for Health Information, and the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.

Sarah was born in the Philippines and migrated to Ottawa, Canada in 1989 with her family. She is now 28-years old, living in Toronto, Canada and works in the Project Management Office for the Shared Information Management Services of the University Health Network.

Sarah Sy

Canada

This is my Lola on the actual day of her 90th birthday. As a present to herself and to us, she takes us to the cemetery where Lolo is buried so that he can greet her on her special day. Her strong, unwavering faith

keeps her heart and soul nourished and healthy.

This is my Lola on the actual day of her 90th birthday. As a present to herself and to us, she takes us to the cemetery where Lolo is buried so that he can greet her on her special day. Her strong, unwavering faith

keeps her heart and soul nourished and healthy.

This is my lola preparing lunch. Every other day, she goes to the market to buy fresh ingredients to cook meals for her family. Only at her house is breakfast ready at 6:30am every morning, which always consists of assorted breads; lunch, which is never without a vegetable dish; and dinner, which always includes fresh fruit for dessert.

This is my lola in the islands of Palawan, Philippines enjoying Day 1 of her birthday gift. Even at 90, sheʼs ready to seize the day with physical activities of speed-boating, fishing, swimming and watching her grandchildren play in the sand.

I received my undergraduate degree in nutrition from the University of New Hampshire and I am now working towards my Masters Degree in Public Health through Walden University.

I plan to further my education by completing a dietetic internship to become a Registered Dietitian.

The images I captured represent how public health is actively present in my community. These photos are just a glimpse of how public health is operating at the community level.

Martha Smith

USA

Helena Bastos

Flavio is medical doctor who makes his living working in the emergency department of a Rio de Janeiro public hospital, which serves the city’s poorest communities.

He is co-founder and a Director of Viramundo, an NGO working with people living in the Rocinha favela. ‘Viramundo’ is a Brazilian term that roughly translated means “transform the world”.

Flavio is course leader for the new health education course at the Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio).

Flavio is an Honorary Lecturer at the University of Cumbria where he contributes to teaching and research within the Faculty of Health and Well Being.

Flavio Wittlin

Helena is a psychologist and co-founder of Viramundo.

Living in Brazil’s favela communities is a major challenge for many people. The reality of poverty, overcrowded, inadequate housing, the lack of basic services such as water and sanitation present a major challenge for people in Rocinha. With high levels of drug use, gang violence, domestic violence and teenage pregnancy within the community there’s a lot of work to be done to maintain and improve basic health and well being in the favela.

Working through Viramundo and partner NGO Amigos de Vida, Helena is helping women and young men in the favela find ways to improve their lives.

BrazilViramundo

BrazilVisible Voices of Rocinha

Contributors

Adilet Bekboev Ana Mercedez-Guerra Angela BretonAtai Oscunbaev Ashok Ghosh Aysa Riera Bianca SantosCarolina Silva Elsy FuentesFlavio WittlinGlenda Ramirez Helena BastosIan ConveryJo Ann Saltiga Julie Fu Junior RezendeLisa Mok Kim FarrMarianela LeonMartha Smith Nubia CermenoNassra KhanNazgul Esengulova Roberto de SousaRosilda LucatteliSarah SyTeotiste Wood Vincent OʼBrienWendy Rowe

Acknowledgements

Thanks also to:BrazilPontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.Viramundo

CanadaUniversity of Ottawa Dr. Denise Spitzer Dr. Caroline Andrew Dr. Michèle Kérisit Sara Torres Tracey Prentice Mitchell Kutney Sophie Hargest

EnglandUniversity of Cumbria Research and Scholarship Development Fund Faculty of Health and Well Being

Cumbria Multicultural Women’s Network

KyrgyzstanInternational University of KyrgyzstanDr Kenesh Dzhusupov

Kyrgyz State Pedagogical Institute Dr Tamara Kudaibergenova Leverhulme Visiting Fellow,University of Cumbria

Ak TerekNazgul EsengulovaUSASate University of New York at CortlandDr Lisa Gugerty

Visible Voices of Rocinha is a collaboration between Viramundo and Visible Voice, established by Vincent O’Brien, Principal Lecturer in Health improvement at the University of Cumbria. Since 2006 Visible Voice projects have been making use of the transformative potential of participatory video and photography to help communities explore, prioritise and engage in visual activism around self chosen community issues.

This exhibit illustrates some of the activities of the Rocinha group. The following Rocinha residents played key roles in it’s development: Bianca SantosCarolina SilvaJunior RezendeRoberto de SousaRosilda Lucatteli