For 2 days we rolled along bumpy dirt roads while I marveled at the raw beauty of the Baja backcountry, and the incredible stamina of the ranchers who can scratch out a living from this very hot and dry place. It was really and eye-opener when we found that a two family ranch that we visited makes about 30,000 pesos at year ($3000). It really helps to put things in perspective.

I’m really enjoying working with Cantaro Azul documenting this project, combining my public health training and photography career at the same time. I’ll be heading out again for a 3 day trip tomorrow, and will be able to post more at that time. Until then, here are a few photos from the trip.

Here’s a typical (good) road, and a view of the picturesque canyons in the Sierra region of Comondu.

Hand sanitizer introduction at the ranches…

More photos to come when I get back from the field on Wednesday!

One of my tasks for this trip (and continuing at various times throughout this fall) will be to document Cántaro Azul’s latest project, Proyecto Blu: Salud en sus Manos (Health in Your Hands). This project is taking a very unique approach to community health promotion, introducing hand sanitizer gel as an attractive product that will facilitate improved hand hygiene. This product will be coupled with educational campaigns at a community level, along with school-based health education and hand sanitizer dispensers around the classrooms to help keep the kids healthy.

I’m really excited to be doing more documentary photography, and to be working with great organizations like Fundación Cántaro Azul. I’ll be sure to give my report and post some photos when I come back on Friday. Here’s to hoping that the heat won’t be too bad!