War Childhood Museum Global Collection

It All Began with a Dress 

Many families in Gaza have similar stories—ours began with a dress, as my grandmother would often tell me.

Since our family worked in farming, having a dress such as this one was considered a luxury—this is why it made the whole family incredibly proud to see my grandmother get married in this dress. However, right after getting married, she was forced to leave her home and her village. Whenever my grandmother told me this story, her eyes welled with tears.

Because this dress marked the beginning of my family’s journey from home, I decided to donate it to the Museum. I still hope that my grandmother and other people will return to their homes one day. Now, I spend my time reading books, learning English and Spanish languages, and making lots of friends.

Intisar, b. 2005, Palestine

Big Problems

I was born in Kherson, where there are big problems now. Our courtyard was bombed. During the missile strike, the trees fell. Even the most stable ones were broken. Afterwards, barely any remained standing. Everything was in ashes. All the glass was broken. We lived on the eighth floor, and we still live on the eighth floor here in Kyiv.

One day, I saw those Z-kas driving on our roads. A month later, for our own safety, we went to Kyiv.

I made this tank with my own hands; I spent an hour making it. In Kherson, I have a whole drawer with three shelves filled to the brim with my models. I miss Kherson.

Mykhailo, b. 2014, Ukraine

Father’s Razor

My father was a teacher, always clean-shaven and neatly dressed. As a child, I often watched him shaving and getting ready for work.

He didn’t survive the Srebrenica genocide. My mother and sister brought this razor in the bag they carried while leaving Srebrenica—I looked after it with care for many more years.

Whenever I tried to use the razor, it would bring back memories of my father and his boundless love for my mother, sister, and me. I know I would never be able to use it as skillfully as he did, so I am giving it to the Museum for safekeeping.

Emir, b. 1979, Bosnia and Herzegovina

A Country for Playing Football

I was born in Kabul, Afghanistan. Since 2015, when we left, we have crossed Iran, Turkey, Bulgaria, and now we are in Serbia. My father used to be a police officer and the Taliban wanted him to join them. There was never peace in Afghanistan. I spent a lot of time at home, because my mother was afraid that the Taliban might come to recruit boys. When I could go out, I liked to ride my bike in the park and play football or any kind of game. We always played close to home, so that we could run if the Taliban came. I went to a private school and finished four grades. Just as I started the 5th grade, we left the country. I liked going to school. We all wore uniforms and had very short hair. I was a very good student. I understood things quickly. Now, I have forgotten a lot. Sometimes I can’t remember how something is said in Farsi. I’m in 6th grade now. I’m so busy in Serbia that I don’t even have enough time to sleep. After school, I take part in many different activities. I play football, go to workshops, learn crafts, play outside… I would like to live in Germany. I heard it was a good country for playing football.

Anosh, b. 2006, Afghanistan

Teddy Bear from My Girlfriend

I got this teddy bear from my girlfriend! Many girls liked me at school in Syria. One of them was Amira, and she gave me this teddy bear. I loved going to school. I had a lot of friends. We used to walk back from school together. We would head each to our own house to do homework, but we would soon meet up again to play on the nearby hill until the sun set. That was five years ago and then the war came to our region. Amira moved to Damascus, and we lost contact. I don’t know anything about her today. I always try to keep this teddy bear clean and neat. We left in 2015. In Lebanon, I started working in a grocery store to help my family pay rent. My mother wanted me to go to school. Now I work at the store from 8 to 12. Then I go back home to eat and get ready for school. In the evening, I am so tired that I go to bed right away. I don’t go out to play with other children anymore because I don’t have the time. I wish I had more time, and also a big garden where I could race through the trees and climb them.

Jaber, b. 2005, Syria