There are no lenses through which the situation in Gaza looks anything but desperate. But for young Palestinian refugees who fled to Egypt, a photography project has offered an outlet to express their emotions – and share their hopes for the future.
Since October 2023, more than 100,000 Palestinians have crossed the border into Egypt from Gaza. The charity Save the Children provided many of them with essentials, including financial assistance, medical help and child-friendly spaces where young people can learn and play. Mental health support for children – through therapy, art and music – is a priority in these spaces.
One such project involved giving children digital cameras and inviting them to document their new lives in Egypt. The project was spearheaded by Oscar-nominated director, photographer and Save the Children Ambassador Misan Harriman. The resulting images have been released to coincide with Refugee Week.
Shadi*, 13, who was part of the project, said: “When I enter the child-friendly space, I feel as if I have arrived at my second home, a place that embraces me with love and safety.”
Shadi, pictured below in his football kit, has sought comfort in the beautiful game during a time of great upheaval and trauma in his young life. His father, an architect, remains in Gaza.
“I feel happiest when I play football,” he said. “I feel so excited, like I am in a big stadium of fans cheering me. I feel like I’m a famous player in an important match. I run fast and get closer to the goal. Then I kick the ball with all my power …goal! Everyone stands up, clapping and shouting my name.”
Rawan*, 12, also took part in the project, using her camera to capture a poignant picture of her mother Aysha* leaning on a wall in dappled sunlight.
“My parents are my source of security because they do everything in their power to protect and stabilise me,” she said. “They are my source of confidence and inspiration.”
Another participant in the project is Toleen*, 12. Her camera, she said, is her favourite possession. “By having it with me I am able to document the happy and beautiful seconds in every moment,” she said.
Save the Children is among the charities calling for an end to the conflict in Gaza, and an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, which the International Court of Justice deems unlawful.
Reflecting on the photography project, Harriman said: “As war rages on in Gaza, we must remember that children are always conflict’s biggest victims – and so their voices and stories need to be heard. That’s what this project is all about: reminding people of the real, human experience behind the headlines.”
Save the Children’s photography initiative – funded by the refugee charity Choose Love – is not the first of its kind. In 2023, Positive News reported on a travelling darkroom that was giving displaced Syrian children the chance to express themselves through art.
“Analogue photography is a healing process for children,” said Serbest Salih, who ran the project. “When they see the result, the children start believing in themselves and understanding that photography doesn’t have rules, that there is no bad or ugly photo.”
*Names have been changed for safeguarding
Photography: Save The Children UK/Choose Love
BE PART OF THE SOLUTION
Positive News is helping more people than ever to get a balanced and uplifting view of the world. While doom and gloom dominates other news outlets, our solutions journalism exists to support your wellbeing and empower you to make a difference towards a better future.
But our reporting has a cost and, as an independent, not-for-profit media organisation, we rely on the financial backing of our readers. If you value what we do and can afford to, please get behind our team with a regular or one-off contribution.
Give once from just £1, or join 1,500+ others who contribute an average of £3 or more per month. You’ll be directly funding the production and sharing of our stories – helping our solutions journalism to benefit many more people.
Join our community today, and together, we’ll change the news for good.
This article was originally published on Positive.news and was republished here, with permission, under a CC BY-ND 4.0 license. Learn more about third-party content on ZanyProgressive.com.