Syrian Children Given Cameras To Show What Life In The World’s Second Largest Refugee Camp Looks Like

The pictures were taken at the Za’atari camp in Jordan.

There are almost 50,000 Syrian children currently living in the Za’atari camp on the Jordan/Syria border.

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The camp was first opened in July 2012 to help the thousands of Syrians fleeing the bloody civil war in the country.

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The camp now houses almost 150,000 people - making it the fourth-largest "city" in Jordan.

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Save the Children recently partnered with photographer Agnes Montanari and gave some of the children living in the refugee camp cameras to document their new lives.

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The charity said: "At its most simple the project provides fun and an opportunity to learn new practical skills. It provides children with a focus, a chance to regain confidence and hope, by enabling them to share their stories through photography."

This picture was taken by 16-year-old Farah (all the children's names were changed to protect their identity) from Dera’a.

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"I enjoy photography and I want to be a photographer. The shop in some of my photos is my father’s. I’m very fascinated with reflections in the water and often try to capture that in photos around the camp," the teenager said.

"Personally I don’t like bad weather but I find it is the best time to take photos. I hope to become a professional photographer."

Seventeen-year-old Yousef said he loved taking photos to keep memories of his life in the camp.

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"I like small details and photographing them, as they can make a difference when captured in a photo," he added.

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Save the Children said the photographs were taken over several months.

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"They highlight the thoughts and feelings of young people who have faced horrors that most people can barely comprehend. These young people will ultimately face the enormous task of rebuilding Syria and ensuring that they have the necessary skills to do so starts now."

Karim, 18, who took this image, said he wanted to show the atmosphere inside the camp.

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"When I take pictures, it is like creating silence around me. I look often for a long time before I take a picture," the Syrian teenager said.

Haya, also 18 said: "I joined the photography course because I want to let the world see the truth about living in Za’atari, the good side and the bad side of it."

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"I use my camera to capture and show truth, and I wish to be a photojournalist someday. Photography is interesting as we all interpret photos differently which is why I enjoyed when we had discussions in the photography class."

Omar, 19, explained there was a sense of community among the group taking the pictures.

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"We have become like a family. I want to work harder on being a better photographer," he declared.

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"The reason I love photography is: when I take photos of the present, it helps me forget the past."

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Reema, 20, also from Dera’a, admitted the photography gave her freedom.

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"I want to be a photojournalist because photography has changed my life," she said. "It helped me to see the world in a different light."

Last month it was revealed the number of refugees fleeing from Syria into Lebanon has now passed the one million mark.