"Children draw their hardships and dreams in a displaced camp in Marib."

Yemen Children's Platform: Special Report - by Arkhan Al Wafi 

For the first time in her life, 13-year-old Zahraa Safwan managed to create an artistic painting and showcase her talent before an audience. 

Zahraa was one of the children who participated in the cultural and artistic forum for children organized by the Yemeni Art Caravan, held in mid-January in Marib Governorate. 

Zahraa experiences with her family  the displacement and deprivation in the Jufaynah camp for displaced people in Marib. She studies in the seventh grade and possesses a talent for drawing, but she hasn't found the suitable environment to practice and develop this artistic talent. 

Zahraa told "Yemen Children's Platform": "I love drawing very much. I draw landscapes, people, and animals. I love drawing everything." She expressed her happiness with the event held by the  Art Caravan in the camp, saying, "It helped me to showcase my creativity and drawings." 

Zahraa dreams of becoming a famous visual artist in the future, using her art to express the social and humanitarian issues that concern her. 

Another child, Rahef Atmira (12 years old), who also lives in the same camp, possesses talents in poetry and public speaking alongside drawing , she wants to use them to express her feelings and the circumstances she faces. 

Rahef had been displaced with her family to Marib Governorate four years ago, coming from Hajjah Governorate. Despite the difficult displacement conditions, Rahef continuous in her studies in the sixth grade and works on developing her skills in drawing and public speaking, sharing them with her schoolmates. 

Rahef spoke to the "Yemen Children's Platform" about her joy in participating in the fine Art Caravan initiative held in the camp. She complained about her need for artistic tools, such as colors, boards, and drawing pads. 

Rahef wishes for the war and displacement suffering to end. She aspires to become a professional visual artist. 

To shed more light on this first artistic initiative during the years of war and displacement since late 2014, the "Yemen Children's Platform" met with Dr. Altaf Hamdi, a specialist in the field of art and sculpture and the head of the Yemeni Art Caravan Foundation. 

Regarding this event, Altaf explained that it was an art exhibition for children, followed by a workshop including visual arts, theater, and performance. She clarified that the goal was to empower children to freely express their suffering, feelings, rights, and dreams in life. 

About the children's contributions, she said that their paintings and drawings were resembled a plea for life to return to normalcy, for safety and stability to return, and for them to resume their normal lives and peace 

She added in her conversation with the "Yemen Children's Platform" that the children spoke spontaneously and simply. Even the theatrical text was composed by the children themselves, as well as the performances, and these talents were a surprise to the team. She noted that holding the exhibition in the camp returned smiles back to the children and served as a safe space that helped them discover their talents and creativity. 

In addition, artist Altaf said that there was a great presence from children for the exhibition, some of whom had lost limbs, and others had no family members. Their happiness was indescribable, and they had beautiful contributions, but they were sad at the end and asked us to continue. 

Furthermore, Altaf praised the cooperation of the local authorities in Marib and their welcome to the event, commending the hosting of the exhibition by Saba Region University and the Culture Office. 

The Yemeni Art Caravan began its first activities in 2018, amidst the war in the country. The Marib exhibition is the eighth journey of the caravan and the second initiative specifically for children. At the local level, a journey was organized in Sanaa. Internationally, trips were carried out in Cairo and Riyadh, all related to Yemeni culture and the Yemeni people's right to life in general, according to the visual artist Altaf. 

Regarding the caravan's future projects, Altaf Hamdi explained that the caravan serves as a nucleus for future projects to introduce art and artists, especially children, targeting Yemeni society as a whole. She expressed her confidence that the government would adopt these upcoming projects.