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HALEY FRANCE

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Guiding Generations

Natasha Gibson was born and raised in Belize and has worked in its tourism industry for over a decade. However, being a single mother to her daughter Athaliah Belisle has shown her that she can’t depend on it like she used to.
This story was part of a larger project and comes with its own interactive format, which you can view HERE. Otherwise, click below for a gallery experience.

Natasha helps Athaliah get ready in the morning at their home in Placencia, Belize. Before work, she walks her to school and then gets ready for her own day, usually as a tour guide or coral restoration practitioner. “Being in tourism, you’re gambli

Athaliah attends Peninsula International Academy (PIA). Despite being more expensive than the public school, Natasha chose to transfer her there because there are smaller classrooms, more outreach opportunities, and Athaliah was bullied at her previ

According to Natasha, a year at PIA costs BZ$8,000, which is equivalent to US$4,000. Like many non-international students, Athaliah is on a scholarship that lowers the cost to BZ$2,400, or US$1,200. However, with the combined cost of tuition, books,

After dropping Athaliah off at school, Natasha finishing getting ready at home and then bikes down to the Placencia Village pier, usually to hop on a boat for a tour. She holds a special place in her heart for the outdoors, recounting memories from

While Natasha loves her job as a freelance, licensed tour guide, its unpredictability makes her nervous. “I was thinking of going back to waitressing because I have a child,” she said. “I know I can get up every day and do my eight-hour shift. The p

One of her frequent tour locations is Laughing Bird Caye, an island off the coast of Placencia, known for its healthy coral. A locally based coral restoration organization, Fragments of Hope (FoH), has focused on this island with coral outplanting a

After a day out on the water, Natasha heads home and immediately throws her wet, salty clothes in the wash and hops in the shower. She also picks up her daughter from her cousin, who lives beneath them and watches Athaliah for her after school. If s

Instead of making dinner right away or doing household chores, Natasha sometimes takes Athaliah back down to the pier with her to play with her friends, while Natasha chats with those of her own. There’s a tire swing off to the side that Athaliah li

Natasha and Athaliah return home after a long day of school, work and play. Athaliah is tucked into bed around 8 p.m. and eventually Natasha follows suit. Finances weigh heavily on her mind with the complex issues of pension plans, taxes and social

Just after 6:30 a.m., Athaliah lays in bed despite her mother’s nudges that it’s time to get up and ready for school. Soon, she’ll be on her way to class and Natasha will be back on a boat, ready to start another day in hopes of creating a better fu

Riverside

Riverside High School football in Durham, N.C., came back from a three-year losing streak in 2017 to winning the program's first conference championship in 16 years in 2018. In the 2019 season, the Riverside Pirates work to defend this position.

Senior Lemere Jones of Riverside High School football waits in between drills during practice one evening on Oct. 7, 2019, in Durham, N.C.

Riverside football players joke around in the school hallways before a game against Orange High School Sept. 20, 2019, in Durham, N.C.

Quarterback Landin Sledge stares out the window as the bus pulls into Hillside High School Oct. 11, 2019, in Durham, N.C. Hillside is one of Riverside's biggest conference rivals and today is their homecoming. Sledge goes on to throw seven touchdown

Running back Donte McCall, 25, is sacked by Cardinal Gibbons players at Riverside's second game of the season, Aug. 31, 2019, in Raleigh, N.C. Riverside started the game out strong but eventually lost 58-27.

Reggie Snowden, 32, yells from the sidelines during a heated game against Hillside High School, Oct. 11, 2019, in Durham, N.C.

Senior Kivonte Koonce, 40, prays on the track around the football field during halftime of a game against Cardinal Gibbons Aug. 31, 2019, in Raleigh, N.C. This is Riverside's second game of the season and they were defeated 58-27.

Head coach Cory Lea prays with the team after a loss against Jordan High School Oct. 25, 2019, in Durham, N.C. The team prays together after each game, putting a hand on the person next to them so they are all connected. "This team, more than any ot

The Riverside Pirates take the field at golden hour to begin warming up before their home game against Orange High School Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Durham, N.C. "The team is like brotherhood," junior Derek Brown said. "We all go through the good; w

The Riverside student section gets rowdy during a game against Northern High School Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, in Durham, N.C.

Sophomore Nasir Winston, 9, is tackled near the end zone during an away game against Hillside, Oct. 11, 2019, in Durham, N.C.

Riverside High School football players celebrate after defeating Northern High School 27-7 and taking home the Friday Night Rivals trophy Sept. 13, 2019, in Durham, N.C. This night marks the first time Riverside football has defeated Northern in sev

Senior Camaar Epps leaves the locker room to get on the bus for an away game Aug. 30, 2019, in Durham, N.C. While Riverside did not win the conference championship this year, they moved on to the first round of playoffs where they were defeated by S

Blue Heron

The natural world sparks a unique joy for this couple. Jean and Murray Parker live on an intentional community in Pittsboro, N.C., called Blue Heron Farm, which Murray co-founded about 25 years ago and now contains more than 30 residents. Here, they reside in a sustainable house, partake in permaculture gardening and live with a strong environmental connection.

Murray Parker, 77, prepares the garden for fall vegetables by digging up old plants on Aug. 24, 2019, in Pittsboro, N.C. He and his wife, Jean, work in their garden every day. They value sustainability and permaculture, which is reflected in their g

Jean Parker, 73, tucks vines back into the plant so they will grow along the fencing surrounding the perimeter of their circular garden Aug. 28, 2019 in Pittsboro, N.C. Jean and Murray’s love for gardening predates their relationship which began in

Jean and Murray plant fall vegetables in their garden together the evening of Sept. 1, 2019, in Pittsboro, N.C. Murray digs the holes and Jean loosens the roots and places the plants inside them. Their garden provides them with enough vegetables yea

Murray dances after listening to a guided meditation Aug. 24, 2019, in Pittsboro, N.C. Nearly every morning at 7 a.m., Murray sits in his white chair overlooking the garden and the field for an hour to reflect before he starts the day's work. "I jus

Jean harvests apples from the small, shared orchard after working in her garden on a misty morning Aug. 28, 2019, in Pittsboro, N.C. She and Murray will eat these raw or use them to make pies and other goods. “I like [the community] because there’s

Murray and Jean are seen together in a picture posted on their refrigerator, Aug. 24, 2019, in Pittsboro, N.C. Jean and Murray met in California almost 40 years ago. When asked what brings him joy, Murray said, “Being really aware of how I love Jean

Jean and Murray prepare a meal in their home, using a majority of items found in their garden on Aug. 28, 2019, in Pittsboro, N.C. Like their garden, the house itself is sustainable with Earthen plaster walls and floors made out of cob, which is a m

Murray enjoys the house to himself while Jean takes her daily swim in the community's pond on Aug. 30, 2019, in Pittsboro, N.C. While Murray and Jean have been together for nearly 40 years, they both value their independence and time alone. Murray e

Jean swims laps around the community’s pond Aug. 30, 2019, in Pittsboro, N.C. She does this every afternoon when the weather is warm enough and she’s not at her part-time job. She, and the community’s late founder, were the only members to take adva

Murray soaks in the golden hour sun as he and Jean work in the garden the evening of Sept. 1, 2019, in Pittsboro, N.C. They are transplanting collards and kale for the colder months and using cardboard pieces to shade the plants from harsh sunlight

Murray watches the sunset across the field, which he does nearly every evening, while Jean takes a stroll to visit the goats across the street Sept. 1, 2019, in Pittsboro, N.C. On this night, Murray also set up a tent so he can sleep outside amongst

Literal Idioms

“Under the weather” “Don’t cry over spilled milk” “Hold your horses” Have you ever wondered where those ridiculous figures of speech come from? Me too.

Don’t Cry over Spilled Milk

Head in the Clouds

Window-Shopping

Under the Weather