CONCH SHELL | PHILIPPINES

JESSICA MEJIAS

PHILIPPINES

A portrait of Jessica Mejias holding her object of memory: a conch shell

In one of the sinking islands of Bohol, Jessica, a 59-year-old child development worker, weaves the tapestry of her life's story—a tale deeply rooted in her birthplace. Born on this island, much like her parents before her, she's chosen to teach here despite the uncertainties the place holds.

The year 2013 marked a seismic shift in the island's destiny. An ordinary breakfast was interrupted by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake, causing the outside areas of Bilangbilangan, Bohol to subside. Since then, the island experienced sinking, exacerbated by the slow onset of sea level rise brought by climate change.

In times past, typhoons had been weathered without breaching their homes. Yet, change became inevitable because of the rising sea level, manifested in elevated houses and newly cemented roads.

Then came Super Typhoon Rai (local name: Odette), an extreme weather event that shattered Jessica's school and the very fabric of her community. Classes stood suspended for three long months. As high tides persist, students resiliently pursue their education.

A watercolour illustration of Jessica's object of memory: a conch shell
A photo of Jessica Mejias holding her object of memory: a conch shell
A close up photo of Jessica's object of memory: a conch shell

OBJECT OF MEMORY

The shell embodies the enduring spirit of their island in Bohol. This unassuming treasure brought by the seas encapsulates a lifetime of memories and unwavering resilience. The shell symbolizes her connection to a home forever altered by climate change. Its smooth curves echo the adaptation etched into elevated houses and cemented roads. Yet, within its delicate intricacies lies a story of shattered schools, halted education, and a community grappling with the impacts of climate change. For Jessica, the shell becomes a poignant emblem of strength in the face of a changing world.

Jessica educates her pupils about climate change, sea level rise, and extreme weather events that threaten their way of life. During classes, she teaches them about the harsh truth: polluters, accumulating wealth while communities suffer, must be held accountable. Jessica's story is not just hers; it echoes through the sinking island, a plea for solidarity in the face of a changing world and justice for those weathering the storm of climate injustice.

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an aerial photo of house almost totally submerged under flooded water