DOWAGIAC — With the Dowagiac District Library’s construction underway, two white separation walls now adorn a photo exhibition for patrons to enjoy.

The exhibition features photos taken by Ruben Romero, a Columbian journalist. Romero, who works as a development instructor and volunteer with the One World Center, 56968 Dailey Road, Dowagiac, captured the exhibition photos during a six-month service trip in rural areas of Malawi, Africa. The service trip was coordinated through One World Center, a nonprofit organization working to help various causes around the world.

The photos will remain displayed as the library undergoes construction using the white separation walls. The exhibition will be viewable during the library’s hours from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Saturday. The library is closed on Sunday.

Through the lens of his camera, Romero captured the realities of life for the people in Malawi. During his service trip, he worked on sustainable projects with social, education and communal impacts to help improve the conditions of people’s lives.

“One World Center gave us the opportunity to know these places and to work with poor communities,” Romero said.

Using his knowledge of journalism, Romero brought his camera along, taking more than 3,000 photos during his trip. From the beginning of the trip to the last day, Romero was continuously capturing people in his photos.

“Pictures allow a chance to capture the quality of a moment for the rest of their lives,” Romero said. “For me, when you take the pictures, it’s an opportunity for you to stay all of your life in a specific
moment.”

For that reason, Romero decided to call his exhibition “African Faces and Smiles,” because despite the rural way of living, it was incredible for Romero to see his subjects smiling all the time, he said. As he traveled to other surrounding communities, he noticed people continued to show positive expressions.

“The expression and their smiles was the principal characteristic of every place that I went,” Romero said. “They are peaceful people. Of course, they have many problems, but they try to give you the best thing they have

Romero spent a majority of his service trip working to build schools and playgrounds for the children in Malawi. During his trip, he lived with the Malawi people and tried to share his life with them, he said.

“We went there to do something,” Romero said. “In the last moment, for me, it was, I’m leaving something here, and I’m carrying something with me from them.”

The photo exhibition is what Romero has brought back from Malawi to share with others. The newly installed photo exhibition in the library is viewable on both floors to show the faces of Romero’s subjects.

Romero considers the library to be the perfect place for his exhibition to be on display.

“The people come here and try to read some books and stay quiet,” Romero said.

He hopes people will visit his exhibition and try to understand his subject’s way of life.

“I’m really happy to see my pictures here,” Romero said looking up at one of the walls. “I hope some people come just to enjoy it.”