Sometimes you meet people who make a real impact not only on the world, but also on you personally. Three people who have impacted my life profoundly are Marie DesJarlais, Cecilia (Ceci) Corcoran, and Jan Gregorcich: three nuns with an extraordinary mission… to open the eyes, ears, noses and mouths of people like me so that we can see and hear and smell and taste and feel people and life in another culture. Marie, Ceci and Jan, together with their colleagues in Lacrosse WI run GATE – Global Awareness Through Experience.
Not your average holiday adventure, a GATE program typically involves 10 days of intense immersion in another culture. You meet and talk to real people and learn about their hopes, dreams and challenges. I have participated in GATE programs in Mexico and Guatemala. As a photographer I got access to people, places and circumstances that could not have happened any other way.
In October 2006 the GATE program celebrated its 25th Anniversary. This gallery is assembled in honor of the program and its leaders. It features photos from trips to Guatemala with GATE in 1994, 1995 and 2004.