Photograph by Sebastiao Salgado
This photo was taken in the region of Chimborazo, Ecuador (Salgado). There is a large valley in this region that is good for farming and raising livestock. So why is this young Ecuadorian girl forced to be on these cliffs and high places. The answer is shocking and brutal. The entire valley in this region is owned by one rich cattle rancher (Salgado). Meanwhile hundreds of families are forced to do their farming on inclines up in the mountains. To make matters worse, there is another epidemic that is sweeping Ecuador. The males in the family are all leaving. They are traveling to the big cities, such as Quito, in order to find work. Since they only come back once a year the women are left to take care of the family, cook, clean, and farm all by themselves. Not only are these men leaving to other parts of Ecuador, but they are currently masses of them that head for the United States as well (Freile 1). They travel there simply to make a better life for their families. A tough road for to take.
Works Cited
1. Salgado, Sebastiao. Photograph. Migrations: Humanity in Transition. Aperture Foundation. New York. 2000. 266.
I actually wrote about internal migration which refers to change of residence within national boundaries. Although they don't want to leave their family behind, it is the demand of life that pushes them to find a better place, a better job. I cannot imagine how these women can live, bring up their children alone and take care of their homes without the help of man. They must go through lots of hardships.
ReplyDeleteHey great post. I really had no idea that this was even happening. You definitely taught me something that I didn't know. You were very informative as well and did an excellent job of conveying the information. I can't imagine my dad only coming home once a year at the most. Those women must be incredible. To take care of their home, families, and all the other responsibilities of life would be simply next to impossible. Something needs to be done about the farmer who has a monopoly. He is doing much more damage then good and should be punished some how. Overall great post!
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