Asma (15):
“I want to tell the Syrian people to have patience and faith. I am calling for all Arab and Western countries to help us solve the crisis, so we can return to our homes. This call is from me and every girl who feels she was deprived from her rights as a female. I wish we would find a fair and suitable solution as soon as possible”, writes Asma (15) a Syrian refugee in a letter.
Asma lives in a refugee camp in North Lebanon. She is a part of a workshop organised by photographer, Felipe Jacome. Asma and other youth were asked to write a letter to someone they love, and also to explain their biggest dreams and wishes for the future. In addition to the letters Jacome asked the youth to express what they wrote in painting.
Portraits of the youth and their paintings were incorporated into beautiful and breath-taking images. The result is the photo series “Syrian Wishes”.
Jasem (12)
“I miss my grandparents as they used to tell us fun stories, such as ‘The Tortoise and the Hare’ and ‘Cinderella’. I can’t seem to recall many details about the latter. Perhaps her heels fell off, or something of the sort”, explains Jasem, a twelve year old boy, when asked about his letter and painting.
Jasem wishes for peace in his home country, Syria. Peace so that his family can return home, and peace so that he can visit his grandparents in Damascus again.
Marah (18)
Marah is eighteen years old and originally from Syria. While writing and painting she talks about her family and her wishes for the future. She is confident that as long as she keeps fully devoted to God, and is loyal to her religion, she will be able to return to Syria.
She wrote a letter to her father, Ousama, who passed away three years ago. She wrote: “My dearest father, you left us and now you shine like a star in the sky, may God have mercy on your soul. You passed away and I was deprived from seeing you again because of human oppression, I was deprived from calling your name, even in my dreams as there is no response to my calls. I will never forget you as long as I live; you were and always will be my idol”.
