Fundacion Leer and Villa 31

I was asked by Frank of Sugar & Spice to photograph as he and some of his employees volunteered with Fundación Leer in Villa 31. They took a school room with damaged walls, peeling paint, overall just depressingly ugly and transformed it into a reading corner with butterflies, snails and a large tree along the walls. Curtains of bright colors, soft pillows, some cushy seats and a handmade rug by the faculty out of what appears to be cleaning rags changed the vibe dramatically. The group attracted attention immediately from the kids during break time and soon the volunteers were swarmed on all sides. I saw kids laughing and playing and excited about the reading room. They kept poking their heads in to see what was up. A select few had the chance to grab a book and a seat at the end of the day. Their smiles for me were tempered with the fact that these kids return home to their house in the Villa and a life much harder than they should know.

Below are some of the images.