Exploring Diverse Lives of Children Worldwide Through Collage Contrasts

Uğur Galleпkυş, an Istanbul-based digital artist, is renowned for crafting poignant collages that vividly illustrate the disparities between various corners of the globe. Through the juxtaposition of images from these disparate realities, Galleпkυş endeavors to spotlight a comprehensive spectrum of issues plaguing today’s youth, encompassing the harrowing challenges of poverty, hunger, and child trafficking. Poignantly, the artist queries, “One question we all, at some point, ask, especially when we fathom the depths of parenthood, is this: What legacy are we imparting to the children of the world?”

Witnessing such rampant injustices has kindled an enduring fire within Uğur, prompting him to author a seminal tome titled “Parallel Universes of Children.” The book, underpinned by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children that has been in effect since 1990, employs 50 meticulously crafted collages to convey the inalienable rights that every child should inherently possess, irrespective of their circumstances or geographical location. As the artist elucidates, “Each collage embodies a distinct right as outlined by the U.N., accompanied by sobering statistics that underscore the imminent perils endangering children globally.”

Uğur ardently aspires for his literary work to galvanize a perceptual shift among adults, imploring them to transcend avarice and self-interest, thus catalyzing a more nurturing world for today’s progeny. He declares, “This book is a testament to every child across the planet: be they destitute or affluent, inhabiting developed or developing nations, educated or seeking knowledge, grappling with hunger or excess, or even transcending mortality. This book resounds as an impassioned CALL TO ACTION!”

In an epoch marred by inequities and disparities, Uğur Galleпkυş’ artistic odyssey stands as a profound and evocative plea for unity, empathy, and concerted change, echoing across cultures and echoing through time.

#1 Prioritizing Professionalism Over Education

Meet Shaila, a 15-year-old girl with a remarkable story. Fleeing from the torment inflicted by her stepmother, she embarked on a journey away from her home in search of refuge with her aunt in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The road to safety was anything but smooth; Shaila managed to secure a seat on a bus bound for Dhaka, only to find herself trapped in a traffic jam for hours. As night descended, the situation grew dire, and the young girl felt lost and uncertain. Stepping off the bus at the stroke of midnight, the fear that gripped her was palpable. With desperation in her heart, Shaila approached every female passenger, pleading for a place to spend the night. Tears streamed down her face as she faced the abyss of the unknown. Regrettably, her pleas fell on deaf ears, and no one extended a helping hand. Shaila reminisced, “Had someone extended their compassion that day, offering me a shelter for just one night, my life might have been spared from the subsequent ordeal.”

Tragically, destiny took a cruel turn. On that fateful journey, Shaila fell victim to a group of kidnappers, finding herself ensnared in the clutches of a brothel. Her life took an unimaginable twist, underscoring the significance of human compassion and the pivotal choices that define our paths.

#2 Children remain children in the first place – Seesaw.

Children are children first, regardless of the circumstances they find themselves in. This poignant truth is vividly captured in the image of a Syrian boy perched upon a destroyed tank in the war-torn town of Kobane, also known as Ain al-Arab. The innocence that radiates from his eyes stands in stark contrast to the devastation that surrounds him. In the midst of conflict and turmoil, this young soul reminds us that the universal language of childhood transcends borders and ideologies. His presence on that battered tank serves as a powerful reminder that every child deserves a safe and nurturing environment in which to learn, grow, and simply be a child. As we gaze upon this image, let it be a call to action, urging us to safeguard the well-being and future of all children, regardless of the challenges they face.

#3 “Bathing During Conflict, Bathing During Times of Calm”

In 2015, amidst the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, Salem Saoody, aged 30, finds solace in bathing his daughter, Layan (L), and his niece, Shaymaa, aged 5 (R), within the confines of their remaining sanctuary—the bathtub salvaged from their damaged home.

#4 I See You

In Ukhiya on September 6, 2017, a young Rohingya refugee girl gazes at newly arrived compatriots who have escaped from Myanmar to seek refuge in Bangladesh. Among these displaced Rohingya, children constitute approximately 60% of the total, and a significant number, under the age of 18, have arrived at the makeshift camps bearing deep emotional scars. Having witnessed the loss of family members and the destruction of their homes, these young souls are profoundly traumatized.

 

#5 Injured Girl with a Pearl Earring

A young Syrian girl who has been wounded receives medical care at an improvised hospital in Kafr Batna, following airstrikes in the Eastern Ghouta region on the outskirts of the capital, Damascus, on February 21, 2018.

 

#6 Child Soldiers

Freshly liberated juvenile soldiers stand in a queue to complete their registration during the demobilization ceremony in Yambio, South Sudan, on February 7, 2018. Over 300 underage combatants, among them 87 girls, were set free in South Sudan’s conflict-ridden Yambio region as part of an initiative aimed at facilitating their reintegration into society, as stated by the United Nations on February 7, 2018.

 

#7 School Bound

On March 25, 2015, a young Syrian schoolgirl makes her way through a partially destroyed wall near her school in the Syrian town of Kobane, also known as Ayn al-Arab. This poignant scene occurred shortly after Kurdish and allied forces successfully liberated Kobane from Islamic State (ISIS) fighters on January 26.

 

#8 Children remain children above all else – enjoying swings.

Children remain children in every circumstance, as depicted by a young Syrian boy joyfully swinging amidst the ruins of a building in the rebel-held town of Douma. This heartwarming scene unfolded on the outskirts of Damascus during the celebration of the third day of the Eid al-Adha holiday on September 3, 2017.

 

#9 Earning through Play

In the vicinity of Dhaka, Bangladesh, children engage in labor at a brick manufacturing plant. They receive compensation of 0.9 USD for every one thousand bricks they transport.

 

#10 Lunchtime Scene

During a brief respite at the factory they are employed in, two young workers are seen having their lunch. This scene takes place in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

 

#11 Closest Companions

Inside her dwelling at the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza Strip, sits 5-year-old Noha Abυ Mesleh, alongside her dearest friend.

 

#12 Tranquil Slumber

In the intensive care unit of the district hospital in Mora, located in the Far North Region of Cameroon, a father is beside his child. Among the prevalent diseases affecting children in Africa, malaria, diarrhea, and malnutrition take the lead. This scene is from February 20, 2019.

 

#13 Children Are Children First – Skiing

Children always bear the harsh consequences of ceaseless conflicts. Just last year, while walking to school, a group of 10 children from the same family stumbled upon an unexploded mortar bomb—a tragically common sight in Afghanistan, where the ongoing war between the Taliban and US-backed national forces continues to devastate. Unaware of its nature or the imminent danger it posed, the curious youngsters picked up the device and carried it to show to their aunt. Tragically, it detonated, resulting in the loss of three children and their older relative, while the remaining seven suffered the loss of at least one limb each.

 

#14 A Rohingya Refugee Mother and Her Child

The journey of a Rohingya refugee mother and her child escaping from Myanmar to Bangladesh. As per the UNHCR, over 720,000 Rohingya refugees have left Myanmar, crossed the border, and arrived in Bangladesh.

 

#15 Crossing The Red Sea

On September 14, 2017, a Rohingya refugee woman cradled her child upon reaching the nearest beach along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. They had just arrived on a boat to Shah Porir Dip Island Teknaf, Bangladesh.

 

#16 Children remain children above all else – Balloons

Amidst the Eastern outskirts of the Syrian capital Damascus, on April 9, 2016, children joyfully ran past severely damaged buildings in the Jobar neighborhood, clutching colorful balloons in their hands.

 

#17 Not Every Hero Wears a Medal

Amidst the wreckage of demolished structures in the northern city of Aleppo, Syria, individuals are seen bravely navigating through the debris, carrying infants in their arms. This scene follows a documented airstrike on September 11, 2016, in the rebel-held Salihiп neighborhood.

 

#18 Crimson Lipstick, Azure Gazes

Meet Rosina. Coming from the vibrant land of Bangladesh, She is a 14-year-old sex worker.

 

#19 Awaiting an Opportunity

In the heart of the Gaza Strip, at the Dair Al Balah refugee camp, young Palestinian children patiently gather around the communal taps. Their hopeful eyes reflect a sense of anticipation as they clutch jerry cans and bottles, yearning to collect clean drinking water. This scene, set in 2014, encapsulates their daily routine, where access to safe and reliable water remains a precious privilege. The resilience of these children shines through as they navigate challenges, demonstrating the strength that lies within their community even in the face of adversity.

 

#20 Empowering Girls’ Education in Challenging Environments

In a resilient display of determination, Pakistani young women continue to pursue education despite facing adversity. An educational institution in Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, became a symbol of courage as it weathered two attacks by extremist groups. These acts, carried out by the Taliban, aimed to suppress the aspirations of girls seeking knowledge. However, these events only served to amplify the voices advocating for education. The bravery of these Pakistani girls highlights the importance of providing a safe and inclusive learning environment for all, reinforcing the notion that education is a fundamental right that should never be compromised.

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