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Kennedy, 13, displaced to Uganda. He is among the 2.3 million South Sudanese refugees that fled the outbreak of civil war. Kennedy was denied a normal childhood and instead became a witness to violence, torture and death. With threat of armed attack, abduction or recruitment by militias, Kennedy¡¯s family were unwilling to send him to school. Once in Uganda, Kennedy was still held back from attending school and fulfilling his dream of becoming a doctor, for his parents were unable to afford the cost of a pair of shoes required for enrolment.

63% of all South Sudanese refugees are children according to UNHCR

When Moses* was 15, he saw his dad being murdered. He was then abducted by the same militia and trained in warfare and theft. The two years of combat that ensued saw Moses¡¯ position in the armed group grow from strength to strength, rewarded with promotion to military intelligence by his commander. ¡°I had to kill so many people, innocent people from my country, I just stopped counting...so many,¡± says Moses, now 18, his eyes on the floor.

* Featured individual is no longer a child but it's his experience as a minor that is reflected in this exhibit.

Mine clearance of route leading into Rubkona airstrip extension near Bentiu. UN Photo/JC McIlwaine (South Sudan)

UNMISS establishes a new base in Yei. UN Photo/Eric Kanalstein (South Sudan)

Photo by OSRSG CAAC/Paddy Dowling (South Sudan)

Photo by OSRSG CAAC/Paddy Dowling (South Sudan)

Nakato*, 19, was born and raised in Yumbe, Uganda. She is actively involved in a movement called ¡°Raise up and Talk¡± to empower the younger generation to share their experiences and stories as a form of therapy to help process the trauma from a life in conflict. Uganda¡¯s open-arms policy has allowed 800,000 refugees from South Sudan to make the journey across the border into northern Uganda. Many youth her age have witnessed unspeakable brutalities. ¡°The stories of refugees are so important to learn from,¡± she said. She also explained how the community frowns upon equality in education, holding women back from progressing in life. ¡°I am asking for change in attitudes, I want human rights for all, that means men and women.¡± Nakato dreams of becoming a journalist.

* Featured individual is no longer a child but it's her experience as a minor that is reflected in this exhibit.

Moza was born and raised east of the Tigris river that divides the city of Mosul. Her parents and five siblings have lived in a two-room concrete dwelling for 10 years. The family income is only $80 per month, which barely covers bills. They are forced to take credit from shops to be able to eat. Moza is due to enroll back into schooling. However, she cares for her mother who suffers respiratory problems due to a lodged bullet in her lung after being caught in crossfire during the conflict. Moza doesn¡¯t know what to expect as she has never set foot in a classroom. Two years beyond the normal enrolment age of six, she still has great dreams of working with NGOs to help residents displaced from the city.

Usama in his former 6^th grade classroom which is now littered with rubble, broken glass and upturned desks after ISIS took over the school. Usama spent 5 years out of education and now must walk almost an hour to the nearest rehabilitated school. ¡°I loved my school; my friends and I were so sad when the school was damaged through the continued conflict. We hope it will re-open someday soon.¡± Usama explained how happy he is to be back in a classroom to fulfil his big dreams of one day becoming either a lawyer or a doctor.

In Iraq, almost 3.2 million children are out of school (UNICEF), making them more vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, such as recruitment by armed elements and early marriage.

Tabarak lives in the war-torn western district in the old city of Mosul. She sits in an empty classroom at Al-Ekhlas primary school in the Nabi Jarjis neighbourhood. It is one of 350 schools in need of urgent rehabilitation. ¡°Living in Mosul has been difficult, it has damaged many schools and houses, I don¡¯t want any more fighting, I just look forward to starting school now. I dream of becoming a teacher someday and I hope that school helps me to do that¡±.

With the last stand of ISIS in Mosul in 2017, the Department of Education reported 130 schools had been totally destroyed.

Photo by OSRSG CAAC/Paddy Dowling (Mosul, Iraq)

Sarah, 14, arrived to Kigeme refugee camp from DRC in 2012. Her parents, now unemployed in Rwanda, worked as rag traders. They made the decision to flee the fighting for the safety and relative calm of Rwanda. They were made to feel very welcome by the host community. Sarah is enrolled in class, three years behind where she should be, due to conflict, and she really enjoys her schooling. She dreams one day of becoming an accountant so she can help her family live a better life.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo held the tragic record of the highest number of children recruited and used in 2020. Close to 15% of children between 5 and 17 years were engaged in child labour in the country. The recruitment and use of children is considered a worst form of child labour.

Charles, 16, lived with his mother and father in DRC. His family was forced to leave because Charles was persecuted for being an albino. His father was repeatedly beaten after refusing to sell Charles to witchdoctors, who believe teeth, fingers and eyes brought good luck to those who bought their body parts. The transition for Charles arriving in Uganda from DRC has left him with large gaps in his education. Leaving as a senior in secondary school, he now finds himself back in primary school ¨C and facing a similar stigma as an albino in Uganda. His long walks to school are interrupted by strangers attempting to lure him away to profit from the sale of his body parts. Charles explained: ¡°I will never feel safe, however my safety now is less important to me than getting an education. I am determined to get my diploma and have a job where I can help protect the rights of other albinos.¡±

Niyosenga,12, arrived from Kiyiri, DRC, in 2016. Her mother was killed in the fierce fighting which swept through towns and villages. She made the journey with her father and grandmother to the relative safe haven of Uganda. Niyosenga remained out of education in DRC until the age of nine as the long walk to school was too dangerous with roads closed by police or rebel militia. To help pay for Niyosenga¡¯s school fees, her father grows maize while her grandmother, 72, weaves baskets.

Children seeking refuge near in North Kivu. UN Photo/Sylvain Liechti (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

Photo by OSRSG CAAC/Paddy Dowling (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

Photo by OSRSG CAAC/Paddy Dowling (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

Photo by OSRSG CAAC/Paddy Dowling (Democratic Republic of the Congo)