Emily Macinnes

Photographer

Make Me Whole Again

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Location: Edinburgh

Nationality: Scottish

Biography: Emily Macinnes (b. 1989) is a Scottish documentary photographer and multimedia producer currently studying at the Danish School of Media and Journalism (DMJX). Emily has worked with international NGO's documenting global issues as well as more... MORE

Colombia is a country that has long-been synonymous with drug-cartels and narcotraffickingÂ and, despite recent peace negotiations, continues to be plagued by a civil warÂ that has seen the death of hundreds of thousands of Colombians as well as theÂ kidnapping and torture of thousands of others during its 50-year period. PowerÂ struggles between the FARC, ELN and paramilitary groups over coca plantations andÂ established drug-routes consistently receive both national and international coverageÂ but lesser-known are the wider consequences that these high levels of drug-productionÂ are having on the Colombian population.

Colombia has for decades been the single largestÂ exporterÂ of coca in the world but inÂ 2014 â€˜Colombia Reportsâ€™ revealed that one-fifth of the cocaine produced in Colombia isÂ being consumed domestically. This figure has increased dramatically since 2008 withÂ drug-use rising by 38% overall, and even greater amongst Colombiaâ€™s youth, with aÂ 50% increase amongst 18-24 year olds.

FundaciÃ³n Hogares Claret, an organisation set up in the 1980's by a Claretian Priest,Â provides rehabilitation for children and teenagers up to 18-years-old suffering from drugÂ and alcohol addiction across Colombia. The program takes an abstinence-basedÂ approach with a core part of the treatment given through twice-daily meditation andÂ yoga as well as group and individual therapy sessions.

When I came across the home for minors on the outskirts of Cali it felt like an importantÂ story that told of another side to Colombia - a story that gave hope despite the tragedyÂ of drug-addiction amongst the young. The profound self-reflection and transformationÂ these boys were experiencing as a result of regular yoga, meditation and group therapyÂ sessions revealed a method that was progressive not just by national but by internationalÂ standards. Children aged between 5 and 18 were entering the program heavily addictedÂ to substances - including solvents, heroine and cocaine - and were going through aÂ journey of emotional and spiritual growth over a period of 9 months - 2 years.

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Make Me Whole Again

Updated Jul 2016

Topics Documentary, Drug Abuse, Health/Healing, Photography, Photojournalism, Portraiture, Spirituality

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