Photography is most compelling when documentation and artmaking coexist in an image—this dual function is perhaps what distinguishes it as a medium. Cuban-American artist Dayana Rivero recently traveled to Guatemala to photograph the students of CasaSito, a nonprofit that supports students via scholarship, personal development workshops, and psychosocial support. In documenting the work of the organization, Rivero’s project exists at the intersection of advocacy and art.

Rivero’s images capture the vivid Antigua landscape, finding beauty in the quotidian. The strength of her subjects paints a nuanced picture of ambition and youth. “Like every young person,” the photographer says, “[these students] have dreams, goals they want to achieve, and a vision of who they want to be.”