Art from the Heart

This is the digital exhibition of artworks and message from children all over the world prepared by the Children's Advisory Team of Child Rights Connect. The goal is to support the discussion at the Annual Day on the Rights of the Child at the UN Human Rights Council about children in armed conflict by showing how children see the world, how conflict affects them, and what they want adults and decision makers to do to protect them.

Children’s voices matter. Their views matter. Even, and especially, in times of war. When children are listened to, peace becomes possible.

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته، أنا اسمي سناء ، عمري 14 سنة. نحن الآن متواجدين في غرفة الضيوف تبعنا، أو بالأحرى بكلمة ثانية، منزلنا. نحن الآن متواجدين في غزة. شاهدوا الدمار اللي تعرض له دارنا. بيتنا كان قبل الحرب فيلا، أحلى بيت بالمربع كله، بس للأسف إجت الحرب ودمرتلنا الأحلام هادي. طلعوا عالجهة الثانية، بتلاقوا غرفتي أنا. هادي غرفتي أنا للأسف كانت هي كل حياتي. كانت فيها غرفتي، وكانت حياتي، وكانت شخصيتي أنا، وكانت كل إشي بعبر عن مشاعري. بس للأسف الدمار اللي حل في غزة خلانا نضطر نعيش بخيام للأسف، ونتخلى عن كل المكان اللي إحنا فيه. أنا ما كنتش متخيلة في يوم إني أعيط على حجر، ما كنتش متخيلة أبداً إنه مثلاً الدار اللي كنت sفيها إنه أصير أعيط ع حجر. وإنه الدمار هاد اللي صار مش لحالي أنا لحالي، صار على كل شعب غزة. فنرجو إنه تتعمر وخلاص. السلام عليكم.

English Translation

Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you. My name is Sanaa, and I am 14 years old. We are currently in our guest room—or rather, in other words, our home. We are in Gaza. Look at the destruction our house has suffered. Before the war, our house was a villa, the most beautiful house in the entire block, but unfortunately, the war came and destroyed these dreams.

Look at the other side, you will find my room. This was my room, which unfortunately was my whole life. It contained my room, my life, my personality, and everything that expressed my feelings. But unfortunately, the destruction that befell Gaza forced us to live in tents and abandon the entire place where we were.

I never imagined that one day I would cry over a stone. I never imagined that I would start crying over the stones of the house I lived in. This destruction didn’t just happen to me alone; it happened to all the people of Gaza. We hope that it will be rebuilt, and that’s all. Peace be upon you.

Gaza we want, Message 2

First Name: Sanaa

Age: 14

Country: Palestine

Type: Messages

Description:

These artistic works were developed within the framework of the Child Protection Area of Responsibility (CP AoR) initiative “Gaza We Want.” The initiative supports children and young people in expressing their hopes, experiences, and visions for a peaceful future through creative and artistic mediums.