A look inside the life of a man named Garin Barajas, to some he is kindly referred to as ‘El Chilango.’ To me he is Garin Barajas, a former complete stranger whose story serves as a small opening into the realities that construction workers and Mexican immigrants experience in the United States.
His resilience and inexplicable strength becomes a loud tune that rings inside the viewer’s ear long after they visually absorb his story.
Garin Barajas sitting on the bench outside the Stuff-A-Bag Coin Laundry. Despite the love he has for his family, the reality is they are a thousand miles away. Acworth, Ga, USA. 2023.
Last September, Barajas experienced a workplace injury involving a fall and powerful blow to his knees from heavy chains. The construction site looked similar to this one. Acworth, Ga, USA. 2023.
Barajas’ arm from the AV Fistula that provides access to his bloodstream for cleaning and regulating. Prior to the construction injury, Barajas was dealing with kidney failure. Acworth, Ga, USA. 2023.
Due to limited mobility, Barajas relies on this one-stop mini mall to wash his cloths, grab lunch, and pass his time before he goes to the hospital for diaylsis. Acworth, Ga, USA. 2023.
A washing machine at the Stuff-A-Bag Coin Laundromat–Barajas rents a room from a lady due to losing his house from unemployment. He feels more comfortable coming here to wash his belongings. Acworth, Ga, USA. 2023.
Inside the Stuff-A-Bag Coin Laundromat. The inclusion of Spanish instructions and signs throughout the place are representative of the hispanic dominated area. Acworth, Ga, USA. 2023.
Las Princesas Bakery–Barajas comes here after he goes to the hospital in the morning. Acworth, Ga, USA. 2023.
Barajas sitting inside Las Princesas Bakery. He likes to order black coffee with pan dulce (Mexican sweet bread). The bakery employees often will make him lunch that meets the dietary guidelines for a person living with kidney disease. Acworth, Ga, USA. 2023.
Wellstar Kennestone Hospital–When Barajas experiences unbearable sharp pains in his legs he comes for morphine injections. Marietta, Ga, USA. 2023.
Edgar sitting inside the Kennestone emergency room. While he waits to get treated, he uses this time to call his wife Angela and son ‘gato’ back in Mexico. Marietta, Ga, USA. 2023.
Barajas looking over his vending machine options. After spending numerous hours waiting, he finds himself wanting something to quickly offset his hunger. Marietta, Ga, USA. 2023.
The bench outside the Stuff- A- Bag Coin Laundromat. Despite not being able to work, drive or have his family close to him, he demonstrates strength and courage. He says observing those around you face obstacles (like the time he noticed the strength within his mother when she was battling cancer) keep a person in his position from giving up. Acworth, Ga, USA. 2023.
