The Pulitzer Center
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The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting is an award-winning non-profit organization that supports reporters covering topics that are commonly left in the dark. In collaboration with Elon University's School of Communications I was chosen to take part in the center's Campus Consortium Reporting Fellowships. After having my pitch approved, I spent the month of January 2020 working on my project "The Resurgence of Leprosy in Brazil."
In the past, Elon Fellows have covered topics such as changing gender roles in Rwanda, prison de-radicalization in London, the decline of Catholicism in Ireland and the rising global demand for Guatemalan coffee. While working on this project, I was blessed with a terrific team of editors, including Kem Sawyer, Holly Piepenburg and Libby Moeller. Without them none of what you see below would have been possible. |
INVESTIGATIVE STORIES
During my month on the field I investigated the causes for the rising number of new leprosy cases in Brazil, South America's most populated country. I embedded with a group of leprologists, who were on the frontlines of treating thousands of patients affected by the disease. By spending time with these specialists I was able to understand the techniques they were using to identify and treat the disease, as well as meet the people most affected by leprosy.
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Shorthanded specialists struggle to address the resurgence of leprosy in Brazil
BELÉM, Brazil — A revolving door of doctors misdiagnosed all of Denise Almeida’s symptoms. The patch on her back was not a fungal infection, the swelling on her ear was not edema, the mark on her abdomen was not a heat rash and the bumps on her foot were not hives. It was the fifth doctor that read it right — Almeida had leprosy. |
FIELD NOTES
In addition to my main story, I wrote several field notes covering different aspects of the complex disease. These field notes contextualize the main story and add new information to the project, which builds the audiences' understanding of leprosy.
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A pressing precaution: Reporter takes leprosy evaluation before heading home
MARITUBA, Brazil — You can never be too sure when it comes to infectious diseases, especially not one like leprosy. After nearly a month of reporting in former colonies, dermatology centers and neglected disease laboratories, I decided to take and document my own leprosy evaluation. To view the video on The Pulitzer Center's YouTube channel, click here. |
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Back to school: Leprosy patients in Brazil join educational pilot program
MARITUBA, Brazil — Art is Maria da Silva Trindade’s favorite class because, while she likes painting, she loves not having homework. The 94-year-old hates homework. Trindade is one of nearly 40 residents, most of whom didn’t graduate from elementary, still living in Marituba’s former leprosy colony. As of this school year, Trindade is the oldest student in a pilot program that is helping leprosy patients pursue their education... |
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Developing a defense: Unchanged treatments pave way for drug resistance in former leprosy colonies
PRATA, Brazil — The leprosy colony in Prata was built to be difficult to find and even harder to leave. Decades after the government outlawed the isolation of patients, the former-colony — now known as Vila de Santo Antônio do Prata — remains just as remote and out of reach... |
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Requests for reparations: Children of federally-isolated leprosy patients demand government response
MARITUBA, BRAZIL — Edmilison Picanco barely spoke as purple banners were flooding the streets of his hometown. He was shocked. Picanco never expected such a turnout for his march, he had no idea so many people still cared about leprosy... |
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An elusive threat: Experts strategize ways to modernize leprosy detection and tracking in Brazil
BELÉM, Brazil — The whir of the projector cut through the steady pitter-patter of rain outside. The lights had been dimmed and all the shades drawn so nothing would compete with the presentation. It worked. The title slide was immaculately clear, “Leprosy Brainstorming: The Laboratory of Dermatology Immunology...” |
PHOTOGRAPHY
In the month I spent in Northern Brazil, I took nearly 5,000 photos. The snapping of my shutter could be heard during every leprosy-related event throughout the state of Pará. Taken by my trusted Canon 5D Mark IV, these are among my favorite photos.