“What do you want to be when you grow up?” This is a question we ask our children when they are young, and typically receive an answer reflecting every child’s dream of a certain profession in the future. However, unfortunately, some children have lost the ability to dream as a result of the violence they have experienced.

In a short film produced by himaya, a child who has experienced violence struggles to answer this question, remaining silent for a minute. The aim of this film is to raise awareness in society about the importance of a child growing up in a safe and non-abusive environment, helping him to dream and achieve his future dreams.

According to Serge Saad, the executive director of himaya: “the short film will make a profound impact on its viewers by highlighting a pressing humanitarian issue that we encounter on a daily basis. Failing to confront this danger could result in our children losing not only their future, but also their lives due to our collective silence and ignorance of the risks they face”.

Sexual harassment, beating, bullying, neglect and abuse, child labor and trafficking are all different types of violence that may affect our children, and all of them have a significant impact on their mental health and their ability to progress towards a promising future. Saad also emphasized that: “himaya, despite the difficult general conditions, still puts all available resources at its disposal to protect children from violence wherever they are on Lebanese soil.”

While “Ma tkhabbi, khabber himaya” may appear to be a typical slogan, it serves as the foundation of the roadmap that himaya has pursued since its establishment, aiming to guarantee comprehensive safeguarding for children across Lebanon.