L'Arche

I spent a year photographing a group of mentally disabled people who live under the roof of an organization called l'Arche. They share their house in a small town near Lille with non disabled people who help them with everything they need. This sort of close life can be difficult and exhausting for both sides, but it offers close friendship and a family in return. My pictures show scenes from daily life such as meals, a shower, recreation etc. Religion plays a big role in the everyday lifes of these people and some photographs were taken during a pilgrimage to Lourdes in southern France.