TITLE: Dancing on the edge

Port-au-Prince ranks among the most dangerous places in the world for journalists. Haitians increasingly distrust the media, accusing journalists of working for gangs. Sean Roubens Jean Sacra (aka Serge) has developed the capability to still practice his profession. He got kidnapped twice by gang members, "I saved her (a journalist in 2006) and I saved my life. I've seen I should be able to deal with it". And "I always work with my intuition". He had built up connections with gang leaders and has been interviewing them for a long time. There is certain kind of protection they would provide him. He became strong already in childhood, as he was raised in an orphanage from 7 to 17 years old, witnessed attrocities like sexual and physical abuse done to other orphans, stood up against the perpetrators and brought them to jail, his life was on the line though. Whenever he now interviews relatives of people killed by gangs or women being raped, children working as slaves, he has flashbacks, "what I have witnessed, all the men have done to kids and now seeing what the gangs are doing." Anyways, "I love listen to people. And I've seen that the stories they don't wanna tell anyone, but they will be open to me. At some point, it hurts me, it touches me. But at the same time I'm feeling it brings some strength to me." Sean is a trained dancer -that teached him discipline-, studied political science, and is capable to create a bridges between people in difficult to access areas in Haiti. He has conducted research for major television outlets around the world and worked on several books. His persistence reminds us that the bright light of human possibility refuses to dim, even amid the most challenging circumstances.

AUTHOR: Philipp Schmieja (Germany)

Self-taught photographer and passionate traveler. I discovered my passion for photography during traveling African countries. I had developed a fascination for tribes. This has been underpinned by my passion for photography. Tribal people are those who have unique customs. They often have a symbiotic bond with the environments in which they live. I am using photography as a medium to capture candid moments as well as community spirit and portraits. And in that moment, through my lens, I am seeking to portray the soul of the places by blending intimate people photography with striking imagery of cultural heritage.