A recent photographic exhibition explored the lives of young refugees who are living in Australia. The photos were taken by the young refugees and they also wrote briefly about the photos, their lives and their hopes for the future.

According to organisers the program was to promote harmony and challenge stereotypes about refugees.

The young photographers came from countries such as Afghanistan, Kenya, Somalia, Sierra Leone, India and Burma.

Sara Duale, a 17-year-old from Somalia, said her photos were about memories of her mum. Her photos pictured her at the beach. In one of them she is crouching above the words mum, I love you, which she wrote in the sand.

‘For me, the beach is a place where I feel peaceful,’ Sara said. ‘I have written a message for my mum in the sand. This is the first time I have been away from my mum and my family. I am missing them all very much. It is hard being so far from my mum but the people here are friendly and sometimes this is the only thing that cheers me up.’

Many of the young refugees expressed sadness at being away from family and the challenges of adapting to life in a new country. One photo depicted a sign that said simply, no access. The refugee from Sierra Leone who took it said the photo represents the lack of access to education, food and safety in Sierra Leone. ‘I want access to these things. I want access to the Australian community. I want acceptance,’ the photographer wrote.

A lot of photos focused on the subjects of strength and hope as well. One of the photographers, Trizah, said she chose two photos of her looking proud and strong to feature in the exhibition. ‘I feel strength about my future and feel great when I am walking around,’ she said. One of Trizah’s photos shows her standing with some Australian navy sailors. ‘I saw that they were young like me and it made me think that I myself can participate as a youth.’

Mariama Jalloh from Sierra Leone said the photos of her in the exhibition are about being a strong woman. In one photo she is smiling and in the other she has her arms folded looking down at the camera. ‘To be a strong person in any situation you have to work hard and never give up. If you are by yourself you have to keep going forward. If I do this the results will be good and I will be smiling. I feel that within myself I am strong. I sometimes feel lonely but other people say you are a strong woman. Before and now is a big difference because now I am smiling. I feel happy.’

The exhibition featuring these inspiring and strong young people even received international news attention.

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