In November 1997, members of the Balsita Community of Life and Work survived a brutal massacre, during which many of their family members were murdered, their homes and crops burned, and livestock killed or stolen.

Milton David and two friends, on their way into town to buy salt and cooking oil, were among those killed by paramilitary soldiers. His wife learned of his death eight days later, as she herself–fleeing her home with their children–arrived at the place where he had been killed.

Very few photographs survived the chaos of the displacement. Those that remain are cherished.