Private Story
Sanctuaria
Summary
“Sanctuaria” explores life in animal sanctuaries (projects often neglected by governments) run by women in gender-sensitive countries, to document her fight to raise awareness about animal abuse, protection on endangered species and the impact on the planet of the livestock industry.
I reckon this is a completely new approach to this topic and has not been addressed yet, in this sense, it can be considered “unique”.
*CONTEXT:
These sanctuaries are facilities, usually in the countryside, where committed workers and volunteers bring in animals from different vulnerable situations, where they devote, body and soul, to the protection of these animals, giving them the best attention they can provide in a safe environment. A lifetime of care until their natural death.
Adherent to these places is not only their love for animals but a philosophy of environmental conservation. They are also a new sustainable and transformative proposal for a different relationship between nature and humans based on a respect for animals and, furthermore, respect for the planet’s limited resources that - at the present time - are being devastated by factory farming increasing the greenhouse effect and global warming.
The close relationship between this sector and the degradation of the Earth - in the form of pollution, deforestation, and desertification - is at the center of the sanctuaries agenda. They advocate for new ways of protecting nature, covering a radical change in the dynamics of consumption and the current economic and social paradigm.
This complex thesis tends to confront the economic interests of corporates and governments and interferes with the proper performance of these projects and, in general, they are even less considered if they are directed by women.
*APPROACH:
This project immerses itself in the daily life of several sanctuaries in countries directed by women in order to explore the vision and values of those responsible observing the extra difficulty of being a leading woman. I started this long-term project in September 2020 and, by December 2021, the Spain/Europe part has been achieved. At this point I am searching for funds to continue and complete the project.
*GOAL:
The objective of this essay is to make their work visible, also as leading women, raise awareness about animal abuse, protection on endangered species and the impact on the planet of the livestock industry thru their particular actions of positive change, love, and compassion; and show existing sustainable alternatives respectful to the planet and all its inhabitants.
If I am blessed with the ‘Alexia grant’ I would be able to travel to two other sanctuaries and complete a more round and holistic vision of this philosophy being practiced worldwide but with different approaches, depending on their traditions, knowledge and financial situation.
I already published some sanctuaries stories in different media outlets (The Guardian Weekend Magazine, National Geographic, Het Blad Magazine in the Netherlands, La Vanguardia Magazine in Spain and The Affairs in Taiwan) and prepared a photo exhibition with the support of DKV Insurance Company that awarded the project.
My plan would be to keep giving exposure to these stories widely and, in the long run, when the project gets deep enough, prepare a bigger exhibit and publish a book.
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