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.

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أنا طفلُ غزّةَ أحلمُ اليومَ بالغَدِ

بعدَ الليالي السودِ ، والألمِ النَّكِدِ

أريدُ بيتًا بلا خوفٍ أعودُ لهُ

وصوتَ أمّي، وضحكتي معَ الولدِ

أريدُ مدرسةً، دفتري، وقصيدتي

ولعبةً لا يسرقُها صوتُ الرَّعدِ

سئمتُ حربًا خطفتْ منّي براءةً

وأحرقتْ حلمي الصغيرَ بلا سندِ

قُل للعالمِ: هذا طفلٌ لهُ أملٌ

سيكبرُ الحُلْمُ رغمَ القهرِ والكَمَدِ

علاء زياد قشطة

English Translation

I am the child of Gaza, dreaming today of tomorrow,

After the black nights, and the bitter sorrow.

I want a home where I return without fear,

My mother’s voice, and my laughter with friends near.

I want a school, my notebook, and my rhyme,

And a toy not stolen by the thunder’s chime.

I am weary of a war that snatched my innocence away,

And burned my small dream with no one to stay.

Tell the world: this child still holds a spark of hope,

The dream will grow, though through pain and grief we cope.

Anonymous poem

First Name: I am the child of Gaza

Country: Palestine

Type: Poems and Short Stories

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.

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