The Forgotten Stop

San Pedro Sula, Honduras: In September of 2005, I had the unique opportunity to spend time with families living in a railroad shanty town consisting of make shift homes erected from scrap metal, wood and cardboard, home to many farmers who migrated from rural Honduras in search of a better life.

Many were met with the reality of unemployment and poverty.

Most occupants of the shanty town spent their days digging through garbage in search of anything that could be fixed or recycled and sold. Young children (unable to attend school and too young to work), spent their days playing along the railroad or helping with domestic chores. Children who were old enough joined the adults at the municipal garbage dump or combed the streets for plastic bottles, scrap metal, cloth and other recyclable goods.

Despite their circumstances, these people emanated unforgettable charisma and energy. These are portraits of their lives on the forgotten railroad stop.