After the collapse of the Soviet Union, factories were disbanded and apartments were sold. Photographer Marcel Maffei chronicles the plight of this community in his photo series, "Blind Ponichala." People who were blind or visually impaired were brought to Ponichala to produce goods, tools and supplies. Lower Ponichala is still relegated to the visually impaired community: those who have lived there since the Soviet era, and their descendants. Maffei's photos paint a bleak portrait of Ponichala, capturing a sense of resignation and hopelessness felt by many of the residents.

Source: CNN August 03, 2016 00:11 UTC