"Cheka Kidogo": Congolese Fashion Exhibition Aims To Raise Awareness Of Continued Violence

Fashion photographer Rankin has joined forces with aid agency Oxfam to put together a unique selection of portraits from Congo's war-zone: The exhibition "Cheka Kidogo" (Swahili for "laugh a little") aims to raise awareness of the forgotten conflict in Congo. We wanted to go beyond the harrowing statistics and introducing the public to the faces and families of one camp -- Mugunga camp, which is home to 17,000 people displaced by violence.

The exhibition's name celebrates the spirit of the Congolese people in the face of adversity, but was also the phrase that people called out to their friends as they were photographed.

The exhibition's images are taken against a white backdrop in Rankin's celebrity portraiture style of photography. This approach aims capture the true personalities of the camps inhabitants - not as victims, but as PEOPLE - highlighting their essential humanity and strength.

They are grandpas, dads, mums, teachers and future soccer players... And they're longing for peace. Meet some of them:

Janvier

Charles Kimanuka, 78. Chef - He told us: "I've been a chef since 1945. I used to cook for important people. Now it's hard for me - and my six children here - to survive on the limited stocks of food in the camp."

Dageije, 18. He dreams of becoming a Basketball player.

Rehema

Marina Nyandwi, 70, with her two grandsons.

Rankin shooting Jasmine in the makeshift studio in Mugunga camp, Goma.

Karo Redi with baby Happiness. Karo is only 14.

Singa, 43, Teacher

Bilao Muhindo. Husband with second wife Nolla.

Exhibition outside the National Theatre in London.

Get HuffPost World On Facebook and Twitter!