This black and white photograph taken by Ako Ismail is titled Meaning of Life. It shows three young children at a water pump. The two taller children are both holding a water cannister each. No other structures can be seen in the photograph, showing how these pumps can be far away from some camps, meaning the children have to carry these heavy containers on their walks back.
This black and white photograph taken by Shaho Omar is titled The Water Sellers. It shows a young man and a boy sat on stools in front of a building that has two doors. The boy on the right hand side is looking directly at the camera whilst the young man is looking towards the boy. They are both wearing shorts and t-shirts. Between them there is a table where they are selling their water as well as two baskets on the floor. There is graffiti on the building in the background. To the right hand side of the image is a person pushing a pushchair with a small child in it who is also looking at the camera.
This black and white photograph taken by Ako Ismail is titled Back to School. It shows a classroom which is inside a large tent and has a temporary floor. There is light coming in from an opening in the tent at the back of the classroom. It is filled with desks, all of which are empty apart from one in the middle of the back row where there is a child with their head on their arms on the desk. There are no other people in the image.
This black and white photograph taken by Shaho Omar is titled Taped. It is overall a very dark image. It shows the corner of a room where two walls of windows meet. All of these windows are taped with crosses to protect them in case of explosions. The city outside the window cannot be seen very clearly other than a bird in one of the top rows towards the left.
This black and white photograph taken by Ako Ismail is titled Search for Safety. In the foreground of the image are three children who are peering out from behind some panelling. In the background are some other children who cannot be seen very clearly because of the light levels. The child on the right is obscured quite a lot by the panelling whereas the child in the middle is looking out, away from the camera, and the child on the left is looking directly at the camera. All three have worried expressions on their faces.
This black and white photograph taken by Ako Ismail is titled A Different Daily Life. It shows a girl in the centre of the foreground who is smiling at the camera. Behind her is a line with clothes hung up on it and in the left hand side of the image is a tent. Further away in the image are other tents and the figures of other people.
This black and white photograph taken by Ako Ismail is titled Meaning of Life. It shows three young children at a water pump. The two taller children are both holding a water cannister each. No other structures can be seen in the photograph, showing how these pumps can be far away from some camps, meaning the children have to carry these heavy containers on their walks back.
This black and white photograph taken by Shaho Omar is titled The Water Sellers. It shows a young man and a boy sat on stools in front of a building that has two doors. The boy on the right hand side is looking directly at the camera whilst the young man is looking towards the boy. They are both wearing shorts and t-shirts. Between them there is a table where they are selling their water as well as two baskets on the floor. There is graffiti on the building in the background. To the right hand side of the image is a person pushing a pushchair with a small child in it who is also looking at the camera.
This black and white photograph taken by Ako Ismail is titled Back to School. It shows a classroom which is inside a large tent and has a temporary floor. There is light coming in from an opening in the tent at the back of the classroom. It is filled with desks, all of which are empty apart from one in the middle of the back row where there is a child with their head on their arms on the desk. There are no other people in the image.
This black and white photograph taken by Shaho Omar is titled Taped. It is overall a very dark image. It shows the corner of a room where two walls of windows meet. All of these windows are taped with crosses to protect them in case of explosions. The city outside the window cannot be seen very clearly other than a bird in one of the top rows towards the left.
This black and white photograph taken by Ako Ismail is titled Search for Safety. In the foreground of the image are three children who are peering out from behind some panelling. In the background are some other children who cannot be seen very clearly because of the light levels. The child on the right is obscured quite a lot by the panelling whereas the child in the middle is looking out, away from the camera, and the child on the left is looking directly at the camera. All three have worried expressions on their faces.
This black and white photograph taken by Ako Ismail is titled A Different Daily Life. It shows a girl in the centre of the foreground who is smiling at the camera. Behind her is a line with clothes hung up on it and in the left hand side of the image is a tent. Further away in the image are other tents and the figures of other people.

Meaning of Life

By Ako Ismail

This photograph is of Arbat refugee camp in Iraq. Here, people have to walk to pumps to get water and carry it back to their 'homes' in heavy containers. Even an everyday, essential task such as getting water is difficult.

All photographs in this section capture the meaning of life. In Ako's words, all of these people are "looking for a good life", and these images show these people adapting to these situations, being resilient and finding hope for a good life.

The Water Sellers

By Shaho Omar

During oppression, daily life in the tourist area of Northern Iraq continues, two children are selling water and sweets. Children’s work is illegal at that age.

‏Bejel/ Akre/ Kurdistan  2018

Back to School

By Ako Ismail

A child refugee from Syria, When ISIS attacked Syria, many people fled to Kurdistan Iraq.

This camp at Arbat had a small local school for refugee children where they could study as students.     

Arbat Camp, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq 2014

Taped

By Shaho Omar

‏Windows of the Rega TV office where Shahor is working, are taped for fear of explosions.

Kirkuk, 2017

Search for Safety

By Ako Ismail

Survivors from Iraq flee to the region of Kurdistan searching for a new life of safety and protection. Children don’t know what their fate is and where they’re going.

Sulaymaniyah in Kurdistan Regional, Iraq 2014

A Different daily life

By Ako Ismail

On the edge of a city, surrounded by mountains, 1000’s of families try to keep to a routine and continue life.

Arbat Camp, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq 2014

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