Miami Fort Lauderdale, FL, May 29, 2026 —

Photographer Documents Lives Without Vital Records, Aids Registration Efforts

Colombian-American photographer and filmmaker Juan Arredondo is undertaking a project to document individuals worldwide who lack essential vital records, such as birth and death certificates. His work also captures the procedures involved in acquiring these crucial documents.

The initiative aims to shed light on the challenges faced by those without official documentation. A related photograph from Bangladesh illustrates the impact of a registration campaign, depicting mothers holding newly obtained birth certificates.

Arredondo’s project focuses on the global issue of statelessness and lack of identity, emphasizing the importance of birth registration for access to rights and services. The documentation highlights both the personal stories of individuals and the broader efforts to address this deficiency.

Story summarized from the original created by Diane Cole on www.npr.org, see more information here.

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