Marta Espina, it is the second time that she collaborates with Alawa, this time in the campaign of the “Soul” collection. Talented, hard-working and generous, today she also shares some of her life -such as her volunteer work in Africa-, through this "sprinkled" interview.
Marta is from Madrid, single, graduated in Business Administration and Management, and is 26 years old. It is the middle of three brothers. Although she does some work as a model, she does not dedicate herself professionally to it, and instead works full time in a consulting firm evaluating financial risks. In her spare time, she is fond of Drawing and Photography, and also takes time (and some summers) to do volunteer work, currently for the Mutoka Mwoyo * foundation. And of course that is not all, also, save a few hours of your schedule to go to the gym !, among other things like traveling, doing programs with friends and family, going to museums and exhibitions, continuing to train in areas related to your work etc.
* Mutoka Mwoyo is a group of friends from Madrid who share the desire of carrying out small actions of aid that contribute to improving the delicate situation that the Democratic Republic of the Congo is experiencing, and in particular the rural area of Ngandanjica and its people, through the local organization Projet Ditunga.
How do you do it, Marta?
M. “I have been working for four and a half years at Deloitte, in financial risk consulting. About a month and a half ago I switched to a strategic financial consulting firm, excited and eager to face new challenges. My work requires many hours, but I think that for any person, balances are essential. It is very important that you never let go of the things that really matter and fill you up inside. What difference does it make to be the best in your work if then you don't take care of fundamental aspects in the personal field? Work is something that poses challenges for me, motivates me and makes me feel fulfilled. However, I can't let go of the things that keep me growing as a person.
Mutoka Mwoyo has taught me and continues to teach me many things. It helps me to value what I have and to get out of the bubble in which, although we may not realize it, we live. It is very nice to see how small acts done by you, imply a change of life for many people. On the other hand, drawing or photography relax me a lot. I love stopping for a while in stressful weeks and being able to escape by painting or taking a walk around photographing.
I think that there can be no time for important things or those that fill us up… it is a matter of organization. "
His first visit to the Congo (DRC) was in 2013 and it was thus that he met Father Apollinaire, founder of the NGO and who made them more aware of the organization and its needs. She tells us that, thanks to that visit, it was later possible to give rise to a very special project that she was in charge of "Educating girls" whose main objective is to promote the education of Congolese girls. Marta's work consisted of developing feasibility scenarios and raising funds that she later had to delegate because she could not dedicate herself full time as this constantly growing project demanded. Recorded in her memory are memories of her second trip, such as when she returned to the orphanage in Ngandanjika, the same children she knew as children, came to meet her, remembering and rejoicing to see her again.
M. "I encourage all people interested in knowing a little more about the NGO to visit the web, entering the following link: http://mutokamwoyo.org/category/proyectos/"
Mutoka Mwoyo has projects related to various fields: education, women, health and church. In addition, missions are organized in summer and Easter that offer the opportunity to get to know first-hand both the NGO and the Congolese reality.
M. “My life has always been closely linked to volunteering. Before Mutoka Mwoyo, I collaborated with nursing homes, soup kitchens, shelters and centers for the disabled.
Helping others is a wonderful thing; helping your family, your friends, the people you come across in your day to day. Volunteering in Africa is a very strong shock. You know a totally different world than the one you are used to seeing. As much as they tell you what Africa is like, no matter how many photos you see, until you see it with your own eyes you are not able to internalize it and assume it. It is hard to assume that what you see is real, and that in the XNUMXst century, there are people living in these conditions, and, above all, that even living in the conditions in which they live, they are, on occasions, happier than us. It is something that helps you to put your feet on the ground, to value those you have and to know that our way of living is not something common, but a privilege that God has given us. Our responsibility is to share, as far as possible, that gift with those most in need.
… It is very nice to see how small acts done by you, imply a change of life for many people… ”
What things did you see in African women that you think could be an example for us western women?
M. “African women are an example of joy, strength and tenacity. They are women capable of supporting very large families with their effort and sweat, always with a smile on their faces. They will not have studied, but they fight for their children with the means they have, working day and night if necessary to achieve the prosperity of their families. They don't understand laziness, bad faces or tiredness. ”
As we mentioned before, he also enjoys drawing and taking pictures. Both activities help her to connect with her, avoiding the stress of the week many times.
What inspires you to take pictures or draw?
M. “There are very inspiring motives but, being an amateur, they are out of my options when it comes to painting (laughs). In general, I really like illustrative drawing. I could not tell you a specific topic because inspiration can be found in many places, viewing exhibitions, viewing social networks of known or unknown artists ... "
He has always been passionate about everything artistic, although he would like to be able to dedicate even more time to it. This year, she has started training in the technique with drawing classes on weekends, and she is "delighted".
And, taking advantage of the fact that we mentioned it, we cannot stop passing you his new Instagram account to follow it !: @ watercoolor.art
M. “In relation to photography, I am not guided by inspiration but by moments that I consider can make a photo an image capable of transmitting sensations. It is not something specific but situations that can lead to great photographs. ”
What trick would you give us to help us take better photos?
M. “The essence of a good photo, apart from having an important technical component, lies in glimpsing the perfect capture. A good photo conveys. It is not about taking out many but finding that face, that landscape or that little thing that you know can transmit some sensation. I think it is not so much taking a photo technically of 10 (which also) but knowing what to take a photo of. "
Thank you very much, Marta, for dedicating part of your time so that we can learn more about the beauty that is in you. We hope to see you soon. Thank you also for your help in these first steps, for feeling our project a bit of its own, and for making our swimsuits look amazing!
Instagram: @ watercoolor.art
NGO Mutoka Mwoyo link: mutokamwoyo.org/