Kanishka Sonthalia

A visual log of thoughts, works in progress and completed works. Documentary Photographer

My Life, My Katherine

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Sarah Roberts starts her day at work as a remodeler.

My Life, My Katherine

“I can breathe easily when I have Katherine by me. It feels like freedom,” says Sarah Roberts, a 29-year-old single mother.

Sarah endured emotional and physical abuse in her teenage years. Today she has joint custody of her 9-year-old daughter Katherine who Sarah believe needs her maternal warmth. She protects her by teaching her how to protect herself. Sarah remodels houses in Mountain Grove, Missouri. She manages her schedule to be available "for her every breath and every moment," she said.

Pieces of drawings hang on the...ntain Grove Elementary School.

Pieces of drawings hang on the wall at the Mountain Grove Elementary School.

Sarah Roberts visits her daugh...r lunch break during the week.

Sarah Roberts visits her daughter Katherine during her lunch break at the Mountain Grove Middle School. Katherine lives with her every other week because of joint custody. Sarah prioritizes spending time with her daughter at her lunch break during the week.

After picking her daughter Kat...chases her in the parking lot.

After picking her daughter Katherine from school, Sarah playfully chases her in the parking lot.

Katherine stands by the window...ther, Sarah, paints the walls.

Katherine stands by the window while her mother, Sarah, paints the walls.

“After years of bein...n jobs,” Sarah says.

“After years of being vulnerable, I knew I had to start protecting for myself… 8 years back, in order to get in shape, I started training myself for construction jobs,” Sarah says.

Sarah patches dry wall for Mis...school until the late evening.

Sarah patches dry wall for Missouri Wellness Center who focus on supporting ones body’s God given ability to heal itself. She starts work after dropping her daughter off at school until the late evening.

While Katherine eats a snack a...wraps up her work for the day.

While Katherine eats a snack after school, Sarah wraps up her work for the day.

After a long day at work, Sara...er why I can smile.”

After a long day at work, Sarah and Katherine break into their daily routine of evening playtime while cleaning paint off the work equipment. “When she’s 18, I will tell her Jesus has brought me through and of His faithfulness to bring me a sweet life regardless of my mistakes and sins. He has given me the strength to get up and smile and see the beauty all around me. I will tell her why I can smile.”

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My Life, My Katherine

Copyright Kanishka Sonthalia 2024

Date of Work Sep 2018 - Sep 2018

Updated Dec 2018

Topics Documentary, Domestic Violence, Emotion, Essays, Faith, Family, Freedom, Hope, Human Rights, Love, Motherhood, Parenting & Family, Peace, Photography, Portraiture, Relationships, Spirituality

Kanishka Sonthalia / New York

Feb 1, 2018 - Ongoing

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