Jim Lommasson

Hands, Mtabila Camp, Tanzania

Belise Nishimwe: Bird Call He taught me how to wrap my hands into one like two seas that clash with one another to form a cave  

As a child, I used to take the train up from Berkeley to visit grandma Jessie in Sacramento. I thought her trim little bungalow in E Street was a palace. In the hot summer months, we drank root beer floats in the back porch. In the cooler months we shared hot tea and her buttery warm bread, warm from the oven. Jim Lommasson

Grandma Jessie’s Scottish Shortbread

My grandmother, Jessie King, was born in 1889 in a house on Holburn Street in Aberdeen, Scotland. Jessie was one of 13 children, 11 of whom survived childhood.

Jim Lommasson

What Miguel Carried, Orizaba, Mexico

Luz Rowley: Growing up in Mexico, I always knew that I needed an education in order to have a better future for myself. But my parents believed that women needed

Jim Lommasson

Faded Shirt, Mexico City, Mexico

Ivan Hernandez: My mom bought me this T shirt at la Villa de Guadalupe in Mexico City, on our way to the border. She prayed that we made it safe […]

Jim Lommasson

Shirt, Toajlaj Tectitán, Guatemala

Yesica Pérez Barrios: “THE SHORT BUT THE MOST SPECIAL STORY OF MY SHIRT” I will wear and care for this garment wherever I go, because just looking at it reminds […]

Jim Lommasson

Marbles, Guatemala City, Guatemala

Bernal Cruz: It was a quick and simple game Perfect for this overactive school boy the stakes were always high, You could win one or a few marbles

Jim Lommasson

Passport, El Paraíso, El Salvador

Xiomara Torres : I was born in El Paraíso, in El Salvador. We left our country in 1980, fleeing the war. I was nine years old. This passport contains

Jim Lommasson

Flags, Kurdish Area, Northern Iraq

Khairi Al-Karsafi : Iraqi Flag, Yazidi Flag, American Flag. The respect for the flag is a national duty: I am born as Izidi, my land is Iraq, and my country […]

Jim Lommasson

Wedding, Kurdish Area, Northern Iraq

Khairi Al-Karsafi: Top Arrow: This family picture was taken at the Khairi Al-Karsafi wedding back in 1994 in Iraq. Left Arrow: My wife Najad.

Jim Lommasson

Barat, Kurdish Area, Northern Iraq

Diar Alkhalo: Top Left: This is called Barat. Barat is made of soil from the holiest Yazidi temple, Lalish. Religious Yazidis at Lalish make the Barat on one night of […]

Jim Lommasson

Wedding Party, Kirkuk, Iraq

Samir Khurshid Memory: I carry this photo with me. It is the wedding party of my brother “Noori” when I was in Turkey in 2008 away from my family. I […]

Jim Lommasson

Member of Our Family, Iraq

Zainab Al Qasiri: Tito is a member of our family, I could not leave her behind. I think this story is full of humanity. The hardest time of my lifewas […]

Jim Lommasson

I Haven’t Brought Anything, Iraq

Endrious Esho: “My name is Endrious Esho. I am from Nenwah, Iraq. I haven’t brought anything from my home. We left home because of ISIS attack in our areas. We […]

Jim Lommasson

Friends, Baghdad, Iraq

Sarmad Al Mayyah: Memories of My Friends I Left in Baghdad, Iraq. I laugh every time I see this photo… …and at the same time, I am sad because I […]