FAMILIES OF THE DUMP, PEOPLE UNDER THE FREEWAY

THE FAMILIES OF THE DUMP is an ongoing social documentary photography and donation project. The work dates back to my first visits to the Mae Sot Thailand garbage dump in 2013. Since 2013 we (the donators and I) have returned to photograph and help the families in 2013 (twice), 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 (6 months long), 2019 and 2022.

The family members are Burmese refugees, mainly from the Mon and Karen ethnic groups, who have crossed into Thailand to work at the Mae Sot garbage dump, hoping for a better life. They dig in the garbage, scavenging for goods they can resell, bottles, metals, cardboard, or anything of value. The families also scavenge food from the garbage for their animals and for themselves.

The making of photographs tells the families stories, and raises awareness. Donated money is then used to buy goods to directly help the people in the pictures. The families get donated food, rubber boots, headlamps, rain jackets, over-the-counter medicines, clothing, tools, toys, and lollipops.

In past years, I have carried suitcases of donated goods from Canada to Thailand. Items like steel-toed boots, children's clothing and dolls, toy cars, and hundreds of hats. Carrying goods over long distances in airplanes, taxis, buses, and motorbikes became too difficult as I got older. I now find the most efficient way to do things is to buy the donated goods locally at various Mae Sot markets and then transport them the much shorter distances to the dump and the families. There is no waste in the process, no middlemen, and no bureaucracy to pay for. I simply withdraw the money from an ATM, buy the goods, then deliver the items directly to the people in need. From you to them, with no waste. 100% of the donated funds are used to help the people. I document everything, take photos of what is bought, and receipts are kept. Videos and photos are made when the goods are handed out. I try to make everything as transparent and straightforward as I can.

The best feeling in the world, the best feeling I have ever had in my life, is giving out lollipops and toys to the children at the dump. Those special times when you make another life a tiny bit better are the memories you don't forget. The moment when you hand a little girl with a shaved head (because of lice) a donated doll, and she smiles back at you, that big beautiful perfect smile. It is wonderful beyond words.

THE PEOPLE UNDER THE FREEWAY project deals with poverty-stricken Thai people living under a freeway in Bangkok’s notorious Klong Toey Slum. Our photograph and donation work there deals with helping the people with their basic needs. In past years the money earned has helped to buy food and pay for things like medicines and other necessities. Donations are handed out on a person-to-person basis as I meet, photograph, and share the lives of those who live under the freeway.

Thank you for reaching out and helping my friends in the dump and under the freeway.