Cockfighting is a cultural institution in Thailand and one of its most popular gambling sports. But the fighting—blood on blood contact—is also a perfect scenario for diseases to spread. The Thai government requires that every rooster must be tested for avian flu and registered.

Local Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation rangers catch some of the 2.5 million bats that leave the Khao Chong Phran cave nightly. 

Dr. Supaporn’s team of virologists from the WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training on Viral Zoonoses at Chulalongkorn University collect samples from the bats

Pranorm wears white chalk on her forehead to keep the guano fleas from biting her face while she works at Khao Chong Phran bat cave to collect guano.

Phra Kru Visutta Nuntakhun is the head monk at Khao Chong Phran Monastery. 

“You should see bats as an animal that brings benefits to humans. Bats are not human’s enemy, humans are actually the enemy of the bats.”-Phra Kru Visutta Nuntakhun

Pranorm's mother brought her to here to collect guano when she was in the third grade and she’s been doing it ever since. 

These bats are ecologically important pollinators, seed spreaders and pest controllers for local farmers’ crops

Left to right: Bobby Acuna, a visiting evangelist from Ghana, Pastor Steve Drapala and Alex Martinez

At the YSVP headquarters, if you ask for Mike no one will know who you are talking about.  If you ask for “Big Mike” they will direct you to Mike Almore. 

A crowd gathered around Danny’s father’s grave. From left to right: Social Worker Edwin Martinez (with glasses), Jaime (black shirt with blue jeans) Danny (gray shirt),

Co-Executive Director Eddie Bocanegra (maroon shirt), and Mike Almore (navy blue shirt).

Students smile and joke with friends during art class at the McCormick Tribune YMCA in Logan Square.

John Vergara teaches the kids how to paint a waterfall using new brush techniques. 

John Vergara in his office at the McCormick Tribune YMCA getting organized for the next days work. 

Almore was born and raised in Pilsen, Chicago. This community, like many across the city, struggles with gang violence.