Courtney. Red dress, normal girl 

Photographs by Eric Kruszewski

Photograph by Eric Kruszewski. Courtney Gilmour accepted her condition, applied herself, and has grown up into an aspiring and talented young woman. She does not blame Chemical Valley for her condition, for she does not wish to live with resentment and anger. Instead, she chooses a positive attitude and a tenacity for enjoying life.

Courtney Gilmour was born in Sarnia, Ontario, also known as Chemical Valley because of the 60+ facilities that comprise 40% of Canada's petrochemical industry. Her right arm ends just above the wrist, and her left arm ends immediately below the elbow. She has one fully functional leg; her other leg ends mid femur. She uses a prosthetic to assist in walking. Today, Courtney is a writer for several online publications and a sketch writer for the famous comedy school Second City in Toronto. 

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The Last of the Billingsgate Porters

Photographs by Claudia Leisinger

Photograph by Claudia Leisinger. Scene in the café within Billingsgate Market. The walls are lined with photos of past and present porters.

On April 28, 2012 a centuries-old way of life and work officially came to an end. This is the story of the last of the Billingsgate Fish Market porters. Billingsgate Market began trading exclusively in fish in 1699. It comprised of two main groups: the merchants who sold the fish and the porters, who with their small numbered enamel badges, traditionally worn on their aprons, had sole licence to transport fish within the market. In January 2012, the City of London Corporation withdrew all trading licences from the porters, revoking a bylaw dating back to 1876. Without this protection, the porters could legally be replaced by cheap casual labour.

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Faith de las Personas
Photographs by Paul Giguere

Photograph by Paul Giguere. Chapel founder.     

The media's portrayal of Mexico focuses on the drug violence, immigration issues, etc. It is a continuing sign of the failure of the media to diversify their coverage of international issues and focus on root cause problems. Working with the Benedictine Sisters at the Guadalupe Center, I visited several townships which are settlements of people, living in poverty, not officially recognized by the government and thus are ineligible for public services. Over a period of 16 years, one of the oldest townships had transformed itself. There are paved roads, electricity, and, most importantly, public bus routes. The township, through political involvement, activism, and community cohesiveness had brought many of these changes about on their own. My hope is this project will help to bring attention to the issues faced by the indigenous people of Mexico and to highlight the positive aspects and results that community-based approaches can achieve.  

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In My Courtyard I Have Found You
Photographs by Natisha Mallick

Photograph by Natisha Mallick. The famous qawwals Nizami Brothers lead by Ghulam Sabir Nizami sing a qawwali in the praise of Nizamuddin Aulia at the Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah in New Delhi.

Located within the meandering lanes of Nizamuddin in New Delhi, India is one of the most important centers for Sufism, the Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin, where the tomb of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia and Amir Khusrau Dehlavi are worshiped and prayed over each day by thousands of Sufi pilgrims. Here amidst the offerings, devotional Qawwalis practitioners hope to reach trance-like meditative states and find God.

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