During the initial English language classes at the Youth Center, we presented some examples of the Humans of New York postings on Facebook. We selected some interviews from Iran and Pakistan in addition to ones of New Yorkers. The idea was to show that we all share common aspirations. In a subsequent class, we casually asked the students about the origins of some curious street vendors we had seen in town (such as the one who sells steamed snails from a pushcart). No one in the class had much information, so (with Humans of New York in mind) we suggested the students go out and interview the various sellers on the street. We asked the students to respect the privacy of the interviewees, but they are a very polite group, and know to be tactful. As it turned out, all the people interviewed (shopkeepers, fruit vendors, single-cigarette sellers, sweepers), were all eager to tell their story. In many instances, the person interviewed had to quit school at an early age in order to help support their family. These interviews have generated interesting discussions dealing with social mobility, gender issues and financial management. We have just begun to have them illustrate their interviews with a collage.
Here, one student explains her collage illustration to her colleagues.
One student interviewed a street sweeper, and has started a collage to illustrate her written piece.
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