Missouri Photo Workshop 72

Aya: The Heart of the Family 

by Srini Venkateswaran

Amalia Velázquez (“Aya” to everyone) immigrated to New York in 1994 from the Dominican Republic. Warm and caring underneath a tough exterior, she has been weathering the pandemic by staying home to care for her grandchildren.

 Amalia stays active throughout her day.  She loves her morning walks, going to the Dominican market to shop for groceries, and cooking and caring for the grandchildren and her family.  Her presence binds the family together. 

 With school going online for the most part during the pandemic, her presence has been all the more critical as the parents are often away from home, working from their office.  But they can rest assured that their little ones are in safe hands and under the watchful eyes of their loving Aya.