Children of Syria Share Their Dreams

All over the surrounding countries, refugees are fleeing their Syrian homes to escape the conflict that has ravaged their homeland. In this photo essay from World Vision Lebanon's Patricia Mouamar, children share their wishes and dreams for their lives. 

group.jpg

"I dream of going back to Syria, and be enrolled in school," says 6-year-old Arwa, surrounded by her brothers, sisters and cousins, "I dream there are no snipers anymore."

Nour.jpg

Nour, 11-year-old Syrian.

"I don't have dreams here [in Lebanon]; all my dreams are in Syria," says 11-year-old Nour, standing outside her tent built from cardboard and plastic sheeting inside and unfinished building with her Uncle in the background.

 "I wish to return to Syria, to my school, to my house and I wish the war stops in Syria and we have peace again. I wish there are no rats going into our tent." 

Ibrahim.jpg

"I wish I can go back home, to my country, to a safe place," 8-year-old Ibrahim tells us sitting inside his tent that houses his family in the Bekaa valley. "I wish the kidnapping stops in Syria and everything to be the same as it was before." 

mohammed.jpg

7-year-old Mohammad, says, "I dream about delicious food; to have a proper meal, I wish rats won't eat our bread and clothes, and millipede won't crawl on my back when I sleep," 7 year-old Mohammad says, demonstrating the size of the rats that help themselves to their limited food supply.

"I wish I can go back to my room in Syria; I wish for the situation to calm down." 

Simple wishes that are so painfully hard to grant to children who have been forced to flee their homes in Syria. If you had one wish for children like Mohammad, Ibrahim, Nour and Arwa, what would it be? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

Indonesia tsunami: The children who have lost everything

Ten-year-old Olivia lost everything she owned during the Indonesia earthquake and tsunami - including her favourite toy.

Indonesia tsunami: Aid worker's diary of desperation and hope

"Living in a disaster-prone country like Indonesia, I’m not a stranger to scenes of grief, but the devastation brought by the recent earthquake and tsunami in Palu was unbearable to fathom."

Back to school: From binding books to reading them

Day in and day out, 12-year-old Mohsin would work 10-hour shifts hauling around huge piles of books, desperate to know what was written inside of them.

Tania's story: Head of the family but still a child

Instead of going to school, Tania spent many of her days peeling piles of icy shrimp - squatting for eight-hour shifts at a local fish depot.