A refugee childhood

Idomeni, on the northern borders of Greece, became a transit site for refugee families fleeing conflict in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. But in March 2016, the borders closed and thousands of people were left trapped and waiting. Living in tents and makeshift shelters, nights were cold and dark. Time passed slowly, spent queuing for food or communal bathrooms. Yet children, many of whom are grieving and traumatised having witnessed unimaginable horrors, still found reason to smile. A skipping rope, a used balloon or some music from a volunteer's phone would rekindle their innocence and glee. They waited in Greece, hoping for a safe place to live and the chance to go to school and sleep in a warm, clean bed. Over a year later, some families are still waiting for the EU to let them in so they can restart their lives.

I am a multimedia journalist, photographer and videographer with thirteen years of global experience. Specialising in humanitarian emergencies and global development, I report on complex issues with compassion, raising awareness of the global refugee crisis, the impacts of climate change and survival in the wake of disasters. I aim to showcase unheard voices to tell compelling stories, passionately promoting the rights of women, children, the indigenous and the marginalised.