Children From Crisis-Affected Countries Dress Up For Their Dream Jobs In Powerful Photo Series

"I would like to become a lawyer so I can defend people’s rights."
"When I grow up, I will be a photographer." -- Mustafa, from Central African Republic
"When I grow up, I will be a photographer." -- Mustafa, from Central African Republic
Vincent Tremeau, 2014

In a powerful photo collection put together by UNOCHA, the United Nations’ humanitarian affairs organization, children from crisis-affected nations around the world explore their hopes and dreams in celebration of World Humanitarian Day Friday.

Today, a record 130 million people depend on the U.N. and its partner organizations for humanitarian support globally, due to conflict and disasters. Children in affected areas are especially vulnerable to the dangerous consequences of violence, war and poverty.

Aptly titled “When I Grow Up,” UNOCHA’s project features the work of photographers Vincent Tremeau and Meredith Hutchison, who spent two years interviewing children aged six to 18 to learn about their unique aspirations. Tremeau focused on youth in different parts of Africa, while Hutchison talked to young Syrian refugees living in Jordan. Both regions are afflicted by crises that often compromise children’s human rights.

“Ever since we studied the solar system in primary school, I have wanted to be an astronaut,” said Haja, a Syrian refugee girl who was photographed wearing a white spacesuit in Jordan. “I love being an astronaut because it lets me see the world from a new angle.”

While some of the children’s career ambitions were fostered by curiosity and excitement, others were spawned from heartbreak and tragedy. Michael, a young boy in Sierra Leone, dreams of healing sick people like doctors did when he was ill. He lost 26 family members to Ebola, including both of his parents and multiple siblings.

“Today, the scale of human suffering is greater than at any time since the United Nations was founded,” U.N. Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson, noted in a press release. “On World Humanitarian Day, let us all recommit to humanity and ask what we can each do to make a difference.”

Take a look at these incredibly powerful photos, which will be displayed in the DUMBO district of Brooklyn, New York, until October 21.

Vincent Tremeau, 2016
Aicha, Niger, future lawyer: "I come from Damassak in Nigeria. I would like to become a lawyer so I can defend people'­s rights. I was born with a disability, but I tend to forget about my handicap because I want to achieve my goal in life. I have been a refugee in Niger for eight months now. I am happy here."
Vincent Tremeau, 2014
Aladi, Central African Republic, future diamond miner: "One day, I want to be a diamond collector."
Meredith Hutchinson, 2015
Fatima, Jordan, future architect: "I've always wanted to be an architect. Yet, when I was young, people told me that this is not something a woman could achieve, and they encouraged me to pursue a more feminine profession. But I dreamt constantly of making beautiful homes for families and designing buildings that bring people joy. I hope I will be a model for other girls, showing them that you should never give up on your dream no matter what others say."
Meredith Hutchinson, 2015
Haja, Jordan, future astronaut: "Ever since we studied the solar system in primary school, I have wanted to be an astronaut. I would imagine myself up in the sky discovering new things. I love being an astronaut because it lets me see the world from a new angle. Many people told me a girl can't become an astronaut. I would tell young girls to not be afraid, to talk to their parents about what they want and why, to always be confident and know where you want to go."
Vincent Tremeau, 2014
Chaibou, Central African Republic, future pilot: "One day, I want to be a pilot."
Vincent Tremeau, 2014
Amadou, Central African Republic, future herder: "One day, I will be a herder like my father used to be."
Vincent Tremeau, 2015
Elodi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, future politician: “One day, I will be a politician and I will advocate for paved roads and two-story houses.”
Vincent Tremeau, 2015
Chandi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, future basket weaver: "I would like to learn how to make baskets because it will help me, my future children and my little brothers and sisters."
Vincent Tremeau, 2015
Diem, Democratic Republic of the Congo, future mason: “One day, I will be a good mason, like my father. When the militia came to my village, they took away my mother and killed her. We fled with my father. I would like to be a mason to build brick houses. Our house for now is made of mud, but we will soon start to make it better. A brick house will enable us to sleep well at night. In our house, with the straw, there is seepage and we are always disturbed by it.”
Vincent Tremeau, 2015
David, Mali, future president: "I want to be the president of Mali because it is a good job and also there is a lot of money in it. I would work well for my country."
Vincent Tremeau, 2015
Sakima, Niger, future teacher: "My father told me that later I will be a teacher like him. I would like to teach to third grade children because I understood everything the teacher taught us."
Meredith Hutchinson, 2015
Fatima, Jordan, future surgeon: "In this image, I am examining an X-ray of a patient to see what is causing the pain in her chest. I treat many patients, but the patient I care most about - the one that drove me to be a doctor - is my father, who has lots of medical issues. To be able to help my father, this makes me feel strong, powerful and capable."
Vincent Tremeau, 2014
Francoise, Democratic Republic of the Congo, future nurse: "I am 15 years old and I have a child named Chance. He is one year old. When I go to school, I am not ashamed of anything. But others cannot understand why I am a student while I already have a child. I tell them that if I study, it is precisely because I want to help my child."
Meredith Hutchinson, 2015
Fatima, Jordan, future teacher: "In this image, it is the early morning and I am waiting in my classroom for my students to arrive. I teach younger children to read and write Arabic. I am a very compassionate and kind person, and so a perfect teacher. I am strict, but I go out of my way to gently help those students who are having difficulties."
Vincent Tremeau, 2016
Habou, Niger, future driver: "I want to be a driver so I can help my parents."
Vincent Tremeau, 2015
Issouf, Mali, future chicken farmer: "I want to be a chicken farmer like my father, and also because I like chicken."
Vincent Tremeau, 2014
Ibrahim, Central African Republic, future soldier: "One day, I will be a soldier."
Vincent Tremeau, 2014
Mahamat, Central African Republic, future football player or musician:"One day, I will be a musician, or a football player in Barcelona."
Vincent Tremeau, 2016
Mimahawa, Guinea, future policewoman: "When I will be a grown-up I want to be a policewoman to catch bandits and thieves."
Vincent Tremeau, 2014
Awa, Central African Republic, future teacher: "One day, I will become a teacher."
Vincent Tremeau, 2016
Michael, Sierra Leone, future doctor: "One day, I will be a doctor to help people as they helped me when I was ill. Twenty-six people died in my family because of Ebola including my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, my grandfather, my grandmother, my uncle, my nephews, my niece. ... Now I am staying with my aunt."
Meredith Hutchinson, 2015
Nesrine, Jordan, future policewoman: "I saw a policewoman for the first time when I was 11. Before that, I hadn't considered it as a career. At that moment of my life, I wasn't even going to school - I just had no interest. But now I have decided it is my dream, I will study hard and pursue it."
Meredith Hutchinson, 2015
Amani, Jordan, future pilot: "I love planes. Even before I had ever been on a plane, I knew I wanted to be a pilot. Flying is adventurous and exciting. When I was younger, my brother always told me that a girl can't be a pilot, but I knew deep down this is what I wanted to do."
Meredith Hutchinson, 2015
Wissam, Jordan, future pharmacist: "Our neighbor in Syria had a pharmacy, and when I was younger I would go next door and help. As the war started, I watched this pharmacist help the injured. When I saw this, I knew that this was an important job and what I wanted to do."
Meredith Hutchinson, 2015
Muntaha, Jordan, future photographer: "Since I was a young girl I loved taking people's photographs. I loved going to different events and documenting what was happening - both the good and bad. As a professional photographer, I will use my images to inspire hope in others - to encourage love and understanding."
Vincent Tremeau, 2014
Safinatou, Central African Republic, future chef: "One day, I will be a chef."
Vincent Tremeau, 2015
Sarah, Mali, future teacher: "I want to become a teacher to work with children."
Vincent Tremeau, 2016
Fatimata, Niger, future teacher: "One day, I will be a teacher in an Islamic school to help people know better their religion and avoid disputes."

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot