Each year on November 20, we observe World Children’s Day, dedicated to protecting the rights and well-being of the youngest members of our society. However, for millions of children worldwide living in conflict zones, childhood is far from carefree. Recent data shows that 473 million children- more than one in six globally – are currently living in conflict zones. These children face severe risks daily, including violence, loss of family members, and limited access to essential services such as education and healthcare.
For this year’s World Children’s Day, we are sharing several stories from our collection that illustrate the many ways conflict impacts every aspect of a child’s life.
Gift Package Box
Some of my special memories of the war were of receiving gift packages from my peers abroad. The packages would contain toys, sweets, school supplies, and clothes, and there would also be a short message, and accompanying address, from the child who sent it. That’s how I corresponded and formed friendships with my peers from faraway countries. One such friendship my sister and I made with a girl from Japan, with whom we corresponded for years after receiving a package. This box is a memento of those joyful childhood days, and it never fails to bring a smile to my face.
Emina, b. 1985, Bosnia and Herzegovina
A Stuffed Dog That Saved My Life
One summer afternoon, I had just washed my stuffed dog and placed it on a drying rack when I heard a mortar shell fall close by. As soon as I realized that the fighting had begun, I rushed back inside.
Once it got quiet outside, I went back to take my stuffed dog from the rack. At that moment, I suddenly heard a whistle of a bullet. It first glanced off the toy, then hit the wall to finally land on the ground. Seeing the direction it was coming from, I realized that the bullet would have hit me if it hadn’t been for this dog. He saved my life.
The bullet left holes on his body, but we quickly sewed them up. Ever since then, the dog had been like my best friend. I could tell him everything, even my worst fears.
I have decided to give my stuffed dog to the Museum as I think it is time I find a real dog to share my feelings with. I think I would like to get a Shar Pei or a Boxer.
Dmytro, b. 2002, Ukraine
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.
I don’t remember there ever being 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
A Dress for Eid
On the first day of Eid in 2014, I got up at 7 o’clock. It was the day that I long anticipated because I was about to put on my special Eid dress. Just three hours later, I heard the sounds of an explosion coming from outside. My parents and my siblings ran to the windows to see what was happening. There was a lot of smoke in the skies. Gaza was being bombed even though they announced a truce. It was Eid but there was no celebration.
I took off my dress and I never wore it again. I spent a lot of time trying to get rid of the feeling that Eid is a bloody day.
This is a dress that was given to me by a family member. The dress is 80 years old and it used to belong to my great grandmother who wore it for her own Eid celebrations as a young girl. It reminds me of my own dress that I planned to wear for Eid in 2014 and that is why I want the Museum to keep it safe.
Reem, b. 2008, Gaza
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
