Against the Wall

The ladies of BEST have brought us to a small building, right next to a cell phone tower.  Outside, sewing machines hum as two young women pass pieces of batik under the needle, their chatter a happy staccato.  Inside, two women stand against a wall as a third prepares to grind peanuts into peanut butter.  We are here for a tour of this small but profitable food processing plant inspired by BEST. With funds from this simple endeavor, all three women can feed their children and move themselves further along in their entrepreneurial pursuits.

We stand quietly and watch, trying to give the emerging peanut butter all our awe and attention, but it is these beauties against the wall that capture our imagination.  In Africa, everyone is almost younger than they appear as the everyday difficulties of just getting by add unnecessary years.  This woman, I realize,  must be older, a slip of her scarf revealing a headful of graying hair.   She carefully wraps her scarf back around her head to conceal her secret--her smile bright, her face young with new possibilities.

These women used to farm, Juliet tells us, but decided to enter food processing when their work in the fields left them with a substantial enough profit. 

After a harrowing visit to the unforgiving rice fields, all I can think is smart move.  These women are taking their days back, rewinding the clock to collect their best efforts and turning them into the kind of ease they deserve.  This is by no means an stress-free life, but turning the food grinder sure beats turning the fields, and the laughter in this room convinces me that I'm stumbling on an old and obvious, well-known fact.

We photograph the process in honor of their success, but at the last minute I can't help but turn my camera to the beauty up against the wall.  I hope her progress here will give her back any joy she lost before she had a way forward.  I hope the wall will give way to more opportunities that bring her youthful delight.

Comments

[Erin Wilson]

I have much to learn from them...
thank you :)

[Christianne]

This is beautiful, Jen. I am loving your reflections on Picture Hope. Thank you for doing what you do, for having the heart that you have, for seeing what you see.

[Wanda]

I saw the face against the wall and thought, "That looks like Jen..."

This is breathtaking. I love smart, powerful women.

[Heather]

I was also going to say that photo reminded me so much of you Jen. That distant look of purpose. I saw it in your eyes in Chicago just before you left on the first assignment. It was partly why I didn't introduce myself. You are a treasure, Jen, as are these unfolding stories we might never have known.

[karen]

Wanda & Heather, I too was struck by how this woman looks so much like Jen. This is one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. I wish I knew her name. I will remember this woman. The mere image of her changes me for the better.

[Rebecca in Switzerland]

Truly maginificent photo.

[Ann Newman]

Such a lovely face and expression! The colors and lighting are so perfect.