"Alma", a dance video as a tribute to all children whose lives were tragically cut short by violence, whose smiles were stolen by war, and whose potential was lost to suffering.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the ocean, this video captures the delicate beauty of childhood — a beauty that, for so many, was stolen too soon. The vastness of the sea and the cliffs symbolize both the splendour and the fragility of life. The graceful movement represents the innocence and light of children whose potential to shine brightly was tragically extinguished by conflict and suffering. Too many children have been denied the opportunity to grow, to learn, and to live in peace.
"Alma" is more than just an acknowledgment of the pain and loss we have witnessed. It is a call for action. It reminds us that we cannot remain silent in the face of injustice. As a society, we must take responsibility for protecting the most vulnerable, and ensure that no more lives are stolen too soon. Every child — no matter where they are born — deserves the chance to live, to grow, and to dream without fear.
While we mourn the children lost to violence, we must also focus on those who are still with us, especially the girls who struggle every day to survive in refugee camps, like those in Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. These adolescent girls are victims of genocide, particularly in the Rohingya refugee camps, are at great risk of child marriage, gender-based violence, and being excluded from education. These girls are systematically denied the opportunity to attend school, robbing them of the chance to build a future of their own choosing. Under the 2024 theme for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence let us all UNiTE to end violence against women. To truly accelerate progress toward gender equality, we must act now and invest in education and secure protection for these girls, ensuring they have the right tools to break free from cycles of violence and excel.
Maiya School is working to change this reality. In April 2022, they opened their first girls-only school in the Kutupalong refugee camp, providing a safe and culturally sensitive educational space for Rohingya girls. Since then, two full classes of 80 girls have been given the opportunity to receive an education — an opportunity that is incredibly rare in this context.
It is through initiatives like Maiya School that we can start to heal, to build a future where every girl has the chance to learn, grow, and become the leader she is meant to be. The education they receive today will give them the power to change the world tomorrow.
We invite you to join us in watching "Alma" and in supporting the girls of Maiya School who have endured unimaginable hardship. Your donations, your voice, and your actions can provide these girls with the opportunity to learn, heal, and bloom into the strong women they are destined to become.
By supporting Maiya School, you are not only honouring the memory of those we have lost but also helping to give hope to those who are still fighting for a future. Together, we can create a world where every girl — no matter her background, circumstances, or where she comes from — has the chance to shine.
Written by Daniela Zambrano & Nazmun Naher Shishir
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