Refugee Child Studying by Lamplight: Image Portrays Illumination Amidst Adversity
In the heart of Kenya's Kakuma refugee camp, artist and founder of Fly Bring Smile, Dennis Taban Okeny, is making a difference. Living in another country but collaborating on a global scale, Okeny's work is shedding light on the resilience and determination of refugees.
Okeny's organization, Fly Bring Smile, is a refugee-led art initiative that empowers children to express their stories through artwork. This initiative is just one part of Okeny's broader mission to highlight the humanity and hope that thrive amid adversity.
Okeny's work has been featured in a significant global photography project, organised by Restless Development as part of the World Health Organization's campaign to end violence against children. The project posed the question: 'What does safe mean to you?'
One of Okeny's powerful images captures a child studying by the light of a dusty oil lamp, amid a makeshift home cobbled together from tarpaulin and sheet metal. This image serves as a poignant reminder of the determination of children in the camp to learn and grow, despite their challenging circumstances.
Okeny's image, and the nine others that make up the resulting 10 photo essays, aim to bring to life remarkable stories of vulnerability and hope. The project symbolizes safety and resilience, with Okeny himself embodying these qualities as a participant and a creator.
In his statements, Okeny expresses the spirit of the refugees he represents: "We are more than just refugees; we are survivors, dreamers, and fighters." His photographs serve as a call for global action, focusing on the reasons every child deserves a life free from violence, fear, and loss.
Positive News, a not-for-profit media organization that supports solutions journalism to empower readers and foster wellbeing, has highlighted Okeny's work. Like Okeny, Positive News relies on financial backing from readers to continue its operations, aiming to support a better future for all.
Through his art and photography, Dennis Taban Okeny is not just documenting the lives of refugees, but also emphasizing their shared humanity and the thriving of love and hope amid adversity. His work is a testament to the power of art and creativity to inspire change and bring people together.
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