How far would you go to truly live a life of service? Would you leave your comfortable home? Could you go live in a poverty-stricken and disaster-riddled place without the creature comforts so many of us require? My guest today, Nadia Todres, answers all of these questions with a resounding YES! Don’t miss her inspiring story of selfless service!
Nadia Todres was born in London and studied at Bennington College, where she fell in love with photography and its ability to tell stories. She currently lives and works as a documentary photographer in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Her latest project is a book she’s published called Rising Up. It’s the inspiring photographic journey of a group of adolescent girls in Haiti living in an encampment of displaced persons after the earthquake of 2010. Rising Up is narrated by the girls themselves, as photographers and witnesses to the blossoming of their own lives. This book and their journey were made possible through the Center for the Arts, an arts education program and non-profit founded and led by Nadia.
Why Haiti?
After the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti in 2010, Nadia was riveted by the news reports and the devastation. She decided to go there and help, even though she had no prior connection to the country. In launching her project, she reached out to several NGO’s (non-governmental organizations) because she wanted to document the relief efforts as a photographer. Nadia Todres has now lived in Haiti since 2015.
A favorite photo
In 2011, after the earthquake, Nadia took a photo of an extraordinary young girl of 15 who was stunningly beautiful and had recently given birth to a baby girl. With no electricity or running water, this girl was living in a makeshift tent made of tarps. Nadia went on to meet many other young girls with babies, which got her interested in working with Haitian girls ages 12-15. These girls fall through the cracks with many relief programs that either focus on people older or younger than they are. Nadia was touched at how vulnerable and at risk they are and wanted to create a safe space for girls.
How the Center for the Arts began
Nadia’s work grew out of a grant she received from the UN Foundation, through which she was invited to teach girls photography in 2011. She worked with other artists and actor Rainn Wilson and his wife. They spent two weeks with the group of 60 girls, teaching them art, photography, acting, and writing. Something extraordinary emerged from this as the girls were able to use the arts to express what was happening to them. This pilot project became the Center for the Arts in 2012 with the help of a Haitian named Ishmael. Unfortunately, Nadia saw the other side of Haiti in 2015, when Ishmael was shot and killed because others were jealous of his success.
The launch pad to success
Nadia shares the hopeful story of Webley, who was 14 with a dynamic personality. She wanted to know why Nadia would leave her comfortable life to come to a difficult place like Haiti. She never really liked the arts but loved learning English. Now, at age 20, many doors have opened up for Webley. She was chosen by the US Embassy to attend a leadership program in Boston and was invited back this year. She is now in her first year in university, which is unusual based on the lack of opportunities for Haitian girls after they finish school. Even at the unheard of price of $1500/year, higher education is out of the reach of virtually every girl in Haiti.
Remarkable opportunities
Most Haitians live with no electricity or running water, in 1-2 room homes. For the girls in the program, these are remarkable opportunities for them to attend university and visit the US. Nadia Todres helps develop the curriculum to teach the girls life lessons about self-esteem and how to deal with difficult situations. Nadia learns what the girls need and formulates the curriculum to meet their needs.
Highlights of the Episode:
- 2:41 – Volunteering her services and documenting the relief efforts in photos
- 4:53 – A favorite photo and Nadia’s work with young girls
- 7:25 – Difficult living conditions in a tent home made of tarps
- 10:46 – How the Center for the Arts program began
- 15:45 – Not realizing Haiti would be her future
- 20:29 – Webley’s story of hopeful transformation
- 25:17 – Extreme poverty and destruction
- 26:23 – Emotional support received from the program
- 28:45 – From photographer to running a non-profit foundation
Resources Mentioned:
The Fem Five:
1. Favorite book for women?
- Bad Feminist: Essays by Roxanne Gay
2. Favorite self-care hack?
- “Getting a manicure and pedicure once a week”
3. Best piece of advice and who gave it to you?
- From a donor, Mike Anderson, “You can’t do this alone. You need a team.”
4. Female thought leader of CEO you’re into right now?
- Eve Ensler of the V-Day movement
5. One piece of advice you’d give your five years younger self?
- “It’s about healthcare. Take care of your back!”
Last Time on The NextFem Podcast
When Tragedy Changes Your Trajectory – with Kat Knox
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