This is me in the first photo. I was 3 years old, I think.
And I'm not smiling, because I was an abused child—physically and emotionally.
A difficult childhood that left a mark on me for life.
But perhaps it’s also the reason why I commit myself, whenever I can, to children, their rights, their freedom, and their happiness, through NGOs around the world.
In the other photos, there are children I’ve photographed in Cambodia, Lebanon, Northern Ireland, Malta, Ukrainian war orphans who found refuge in Moldova, Moldovan social orphans, and Roma children living in southern France.
Everywhere, there are children who suffer, who are abused, mistreated, who grow up too fast and become sad, somber adults. A little bit like me.
But I’m working on myself to finally forget that I, too, was one of those unhappy children.
I will never stop making these kinds of reports. It’s my way of taking action, and I know that many of you help in your own ways.
A child should smile, laugh, feel loved, supported, and protected. Let’s help children, whether they are at the other end of the world, in our street, or in our family—anywhere.
They need us.
You can make a donation or sponsor a child through these remarkable NGOs:
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