When I grow up: Syrian refugee girls' dreams for the future realised in beautiful photoshoots

[demmiblue]

Source: IBT

Adolescent girls flee the conflict in Syria live dangerous and largely invisible lives. Their age, gender and place in society all make them vulnerable to violence, exploitation and abuse. They are often unable to safely access education and health care. They face the risks of early marriage and violence. They may experience harassment and abuse, meaning parents insist they stay hidden indoors to protect their honour.

Many of these girls have experienced the trauma of their country's civil war, losing loved ones and their homes, and are struggling to survive in a new country. Despite their predicament, they still have dreams and ambitions. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helped a group of Syrian girls living in Jordan to visualise their goals, through the Vision not Victim programme.

The programme helps to give young refugees the skills and support they need to build a better future for themselves. The girls created action plans and drew images that encapsulated their ambition, and then starred in their own photoshoot. Every girl designed and directed her own shoot, posing as her future self — having achieved her goal. Where possible, the shoots were done on location, in actual working environments, so girls could meet people in their envisioned field.



Fatima, aged 11. Vision: future surgeon. "In this image, I am examining an x-ray of a patient to see what is causing the pain in her chest. At this point in my life I am a well-respected surgeon in the region. I treat many patients, but the patient I care most about – the one that drove me to be a doctor – is my father, who has lots of medical issues. To be able to help my father, this makes me feel strong, powerful and capable."Meredith Hutchison/International Rescue Committee




Fatima, ahed 11. Vision: future policewoman. "I am a kind, yet serious policewoman who is respected and a role model in the community. People are not afraid of me, but call me when they are in trouble. I teach them how to respect and love one another. I fight for justice. I help the innocent."Meredith Hutchison/International Rescue Committee




Muntaha, aged 12. Vision: future photographer. "Since I was a young girl I loved taking people’s photographs. I loved going to different events and documenting what was happening – both the good and bad. Now, as a professional photographer I use my images to inspire hope in others – to encourage love and understanding."Meredith Hutchison/International Rescue Committee




Rama, aged 13. Vision: future doctor. "Walking down the street as a young girl in Syria or Jordan, I encountered many people suffering – sick or injured – and I always wanted to have the power and skills to help them. Now, as a great physician in my community, I have that ability. Easing someone’s pain is the most rewarding aspect of my job. To be able to give them relief and make them smile – this is what I love most."Meredith Hutchison/International Rescue Committee




Fatima, aged 12. Vision: future teacher. "In this image, it is the early morning and I am waiting in my classroom for my students to arrive. I teach younger children to read and write Arabic. I am a very compassionate and kind person, and so a perfect teacher. I am strict, but I go out of my way to gently help those students who are having difficulties."Meredith Hutchison/International Rescue Committee

More: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/when-i-grow-syrian-refugee-girls-dreams-future-realised-beautiful-photoshoots-1541775

[LeftishBrit]

1. I hope they are able to make their dreams come true.

[leftynyc]

2. Look at those brave girls

Their courage after what they've been through makes me want to sing. G-d bless each and every one of them and help them realize their dreams.

[FLPanhandle]

3. Their first challenge is to leave their culture behind.

It's the biggest barrier to their dreams.

[starroute]

4. No, their first challenge is to transform their culture

Much of what they hope for is just as incompatible with contemporary Western culture. Their dreams are of helping their own people, or those like them, and for that the Islamic world needs to be transformed. These women, if anyone, are the ones to do it.

[FLPanhandle]

5. "Much of what they hope for is just as incompatible with contemporary Western culture"

Really? You think western culture is just as bad for women as Islamic culture?

You lost all credibility with me with that comparison.

[davidn3600]

8. Cultural relativism like this is what makes progressives look completely out of touch with reality

I've seen DUers here try to argue that the west is just as bad for women as the mid-east countries like Syria and Saudi Arabia.

I mean....I get it. Many find it uncomfortable to suggest their own culture is better than another's culture. But let's not be stupid. Anyone that suggests women in America have it as bad as women in Saudi Arabia is a complete fool. Especially if you are a woman...go over there...live in Saudi Arabia or Syria for awhile. Go walk around (since it is illegal for you to drive) without a male escort and see what happens. Then come back over here and tell me with a straight face that it's just as bad in America.

Sorry....but the culture there needs to change A LOT! There is no respect there for women. There is no respect for homosexuals. There is no respect for basic human rights or the rule of law. These are largely theocracies or brutal dictatorships with no freedoms of religion or expression of any kind. Radical elements of the Islamic religion are running amok all over the place killing in barbaric ways, and the governments can't control it.

[smirkymonkey]

7. " Much of what they hope for is just as incompatible with contemporary Western

culture"?? Yeah, because there are no educated girls and women in the west, nor are there any female doctors, businesswomen, lawyers, policewomen, artists, politicians, etc. You have got to be kidding me.

[TipTok]

9. Not sure if serious...

[smirkymonkey]

6. Agreed. They are so hopeful. I would love to see them achieve their

dreams, but unfortunately the men of their culture seem to stop at nothing to keep them down. I wish it was the girls and women who escaped to Europe and left the men behind, but of course the men left them behind in a war zone thinking only their lives were worth saving. What a sad waste of human potential and life.