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A picture from the UNHCR website for the project. Credit: UNHCR/ Humans of Amsterdam
A picture from the UNHCR website for the project. Credit: UNHCR/ Humans of Amsterdam

Dream Diaries project tells stories of refugees' dreams

Latest update : 2018/01/15
By ANSA Latest update : 2018/01/15

Four creators of online content travelled over 7,000 miles throughout Europe to meet a dozen refugee minors and asylum seekers for the project "Dream Diaries," an initative created together with UN Refugee Agency UNHCR. The project "visualizes the stories of children who have fled their homes for a new life in Europe" and "lets the youngsters' imaginations run free."

 Over the course of 16 days, photographer Debra Barraud of Humans of Amsterdam, her colleague Benjamin Heertje, Dutch graphic designer Annegien Schilling and filmmaker Kris Pouw traveled to five different European countries to "capture the dreams of children who have fled war and persecution in Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia and beyond". The Dream Diaries came from these meetings. "Through engaging with the many children we met, they shared their dreams with us. Once we had gathered their stories and dreams, we created an image to symbolize their realization,"said Barraud, whose Humans of Amsterdam project has over 400,000 followers on Facebook. "Through the project, we saw the strength of these children and how with the right support they can achieve anything".


 Amr, who dreams of becoming a journalist 

The series, that was developed in a 10-day series on Instagram, Facebook and the UNHCR website, tells of stories such as that of Amr, a 16-year-old Syrian who now lives in Austria and dreams of becoming a reporter. "I remember the mud, the cold and the constant rain," Amr told UNHCR, speaking of his trip to reach Europe. "I think the world without war is so much better. It is interesting for me to hear things about Syria. I saw so many stories about Syria going around on the internet and it is hard to tell if they are true. People must hear the truth and journalists have the power to do that. That is why I want to become a journalist''. 

In 2016, over 50% of refugees were children. That year, unaccompanied foreign minors, coming mainly from Syria and Afghanistan, made 75,000 requests for asylum in 70 different countries. "At a time when we see some people and places closing their hearts and minds to refugees, it's an inspiration to see four young people embark on this great journey to tell these stories of hope," said Veronique Robert, UNHCR's deputy regional representative for Western Europe. "The Dream Diaries truly exemplifies how refugees are people just like you and me, with hopes, dreams and desires. The only difference is that they have been forced to flee their homes, loved ones and leave everything behind."