in Partnership with BLURB USA

"For three months, I travelled to eight different communities in Guatemala, Belize, Salvador, Ecuador and Mexico, collecting images and stories of fifteen illiterate and impoverished indigenous mothers and grandmothers. These women, who had never before travelled beyond their remote communities, left their husbands, children and their entire existence, to embark on an incredible journey to bring light to their communities ... and a new life. 

I created this book as an intimate diary to link you with unique examples of empowerment, dignity and courage. I have gathered hundreds of moments frozen in time, transcriptions and personal entries to bring the reader and the viewer into this remote world—one we never imagined still existed.

Doña Luz: Solar Mama Stories chronicles the story not only of forgotten people, survivors of genocide, victims of ongoing prejudice, oil exploitation, land confiscation, and marginalized communities, but also of ambassadors of faith and courage.

From taking a plane for the first time, to hearing new languages, learning English, living in India for six months, training as solar engineers, returning to electrify their entire villages, becoming role models and local heroes, starting businesses inspired by their journeys, and finding respect at home and within their communities, led mostly by men, these women have overcome unimaginable challenges to electrify their communities. 

My approach uses documentary photography and faithful transcription of true stories from these remote and forgotten communities, as well as my personal observations and seeks to understand, question and reveal unknown realities of the world we live in.” 

Varial* Cédric Houin