What are we doing?
We want to help Paola, a trans woman from Hondruas to rebuild her life in Spain by contributing to her education and her dream to become a medical assistant.
We met Paola while we were shooting our film m/f/x last year in Honduras. She suffered horrific violence in her life and inspired us because despite having suffered terribly she was still able to remain cheerful, strong and determined to make the most out of her life. Paola is currently applying for refugee status in Madrid. She is safe but life is not easy.
Why are we fundraising for Paola?
Paola will be the first participant of the newly created Resilience and Solidarity Program. It is a project Human Rights in the Picture started in order to support some of those individuals that have inspired us deep and never left our hearts.
Nadja Houben, director of HRitP recalls a conversation with Paola while driving through the streets of Tegucigalpa at night: 'Paola turned to me and said why don't you smile more? You are always looking so serious. I could only think, why are you so positive and why do you smile all the time? The answer was: her life is worth living and she wants to make the most of it.'
Our team
Nadja Houben - director Human Rights in the Picture
Julia van der Wees - media and outreach coordinator
Koen Suidgeest - filmmaker & photographer
How you can help
Consider a donation to our crowdfunding campaign by selecting a reward from the list on the right. We are grateful for your support and know that every euro will be well spent to help build a future for Paola.
There is more you can do. We are building a circle of friends and supporters around Paola, so if you live in Madrid and want to help Paola with practical day-to day issues or if you want to go for a walk or a coffee with her, let us know!
If you want to be involved in the Resilience & Solidarity Program reach out to us at [email protected]. We would love to hear from you.
Meanwhile, follow the campaign on our social media channels:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humanrightsinthepicture/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumanRightsinthePicture
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RightsPicture
and via our website: www.humanrightsinthepicture.org
Rewards
100 euros - choice of limited edition photograph, numbered, signed and stamped by author
Koen Suidgeest is a longtime friend of HRP and a personal friend of Paola. That is why he generously donated two photos that you can choose from as your reward.
'Young mother' (2017, rural Malawi). Printed on museum quality paper, 20x30 cm.
'Kibera kids' (2015, Kibera slum, Nairobi, Kenya). Printed on museum quality paper, 20x30 cm.
25 euros - growing paper with the logo of Human Rights in the Picture as a thank you that you helped Paola grow in her new life.
Here is how you use the growing paper:
15 euros
With this donation you receive a link to our film m/f/x. This documentary is about three transgender people from Honduras, Vietnam and The Netherlands. Through their touching personal stories, filmed from up close, the film turns into a positive movement towards openness, inclusiveness, dignity and recognition.Watch the trailer here:
Trailer m/f/x
