Through the Eyes of Children: Refugee Life in Pictures

They are powerful images that capture the pain and struggles of life as a young refugee. Sixty photographs, taken by kids ages 12-20 at a refugee settlement in Uganda that is supported by International Medical Corps and UNHCR are now on display at exhibits in Washington, London and Kampala.

The images were selected from thousands taken during a photo camp with IMC and renowned photographers from National Geographic. As part of the workshop, students were taught photographic techniques and then sent out into their surroundings to take photos of the people and places important to them. IMC staff then used the photographs to counsel the students on coping with the turbulence and difficulty of refugee life.

In viewing their lives through the camera's lens, the participants not only produced striking photographs, but the process allowed them to unlock painful memories and experiences from the past. In its 24 years of humanitarian work, IMC has recognized that art therapy is an effective tool in helping with long-term recovery for traumatized populations, especially children.

The Washington, D.C., exhibit at the National Geographic Museum at Explorers Hall runs through September 3. An identical exhibit, "Through the Eyes of Children: Life as a Refugee in Uganda," is on display at Oxo Tower Wharf in London through July 1. And UNHCR is displaying the photographs at the National Museum of Uganda through June 28.

Click here to see a slide show of the exhibit.