Though plenty of journalists have documented the plight of Syrian children – fleeing civil war, surviving in refugee camps, and relocating to new countries, none has expounded upon their emotions. This sad reality is what prompted André Naddeo, an independent journalist, to travel to Greece and volunteer with refugee children.
Naddeo shared with Bored Panda:
“I have made myself the decision to come to Athens, Greece, not only to see how is the refugees’ situation like and help in whatever it’s necessary, but as well to promote some activities for those who are slowly and painfully losing the most precious period of life: the childhood.”
The activist’s work can be followed on the Drawfugees Facebook page. One of the quotes the community draws inspiration from, by the Waldorf Library, follows:
“Children’s drawings express their hopes, wishes, dreams, visions, and also anxieties, fears, hurts, and worries about past and future.”
By acknowledging and expressing their emotions, the refugees may reclaim their childhood and begin healing from the trauma(s) of war.
Fatima, 5, Syria
“I don’t know how to draw perfectly. I am shy.”
Youssef Souqi, 9, Syria
“My brother is alone in Germany, with some of my parents’ friends. We have been trying so far to reach him, but it’s been impossible. My biggest dream is all of us, together.”
Rauan Taleb, 6, Syria
“That’s me. I love drawings. It makes me feel that I am inside in my own’s dream.”
Ahmad Arnawt, 12, Syria
“I am alone here. All my family is still there trying to survive. This drawing represents my father, mother and brother. And my country. Sometimes I just close my eyes and I fell like home. I miss them so much.”
Bayane Taleb, 10, Syria
“In Syria there’s no more flowers. I love flowers because it means life, lightness, and love. All I want back to my life, to my country.”
Asma, 10, Afghanistan
“Right: my country’s flag. Left: Greece’s, where I live at least for now. In the middle, SpongeBob, my favorite animation. But I can not watch anymore, there’s no TV here at the port.”
Hebir Sakr, 13, Afghanistan
“This week the Olympic torch passed here before reaching Brazil for Rio 2016 but I didn’t have the chance to see it. This is the former Brazilian volleyball player @giovanegavio carrying it. I wish I could go to Rio de Janeiro to see the Olympics – that would be a dream.”
Sabawon Iatebzi, 14, Afghanistan
“I love my country and it lives in my heart because I miss it sooooo much.”
Linin Jozil, 9, Iraq
“This is my hometown Bagdad, and myself. Ah, and the rainbow, so colorful. I miss the colors of my country. I miss a lot of things actually.”
What are your thoughts? Please comment below and share this news!
This article (Syrian Refugee Children Express Their Feelings Through Art [Photos]) is free and open source. You have permission to republish this article under a Creative Commons license with attribution to the author and TrueActivist.com
