Christians of Lebanon
With an NGO based between the Vatican and Lebanon (La Providence Divine), I travelled to Lebanon in 2021/2022 to photograph Christian families in Beirut and the surrounding area who live in utter poverty, far from the attention of the Western media. The government is corrupt and the people lack everything, even medicine and electricity (only one hour per day).
And then there is the war, the Hezbollah terrorists (I had to be exfiltrated from a neighbourhood controlled by this terrorist group), and even the port explosion in 2020. However, despite the problems, these people are resilient, generous and very welcoming.
Their faith is their greatest strength. Christians in the Middle East feel abandoned and are too often persecuted.
Fortunately, the NGO Divine Providence is there to help them feed themselves, educate their children, pay for medical care and even surgical operations. It is their guardian angel.
I chose to take these photos in black and white, but to photograph the statues of Saint Mary, which are everywhere in the city and in homes, in colour. For it is in her that they find the colours of joy and hope.
50% of sales from these photos will be donated to La Divine Providence, an association helping Christian families in need in Lebanon.