Happiness — Light in The Darkness
Can you imagine a life where gang fights and violence are part and parcel of your everyday life? At the tender age of 14, Ahmad (not his real name) had already been heavily involved in gang activities. It did not help that at home, Ahmad had to deal with abusive bouts caused by his father, who was struggling with alcoholism. For most of his youth, Ahmad had been filled with rage and fear.
This collection of photographs represents the light at the end of his tunnel — a journey of hope, of forgiveness, and of renewal.
Sometimes when I look at my past, all I see are bad things. I cannot remember the last time I took a happy family photo or a time when I felt genuinely joyful. It makes me a little bit sad, but I know that my experiences are what make me strong. I hope that just like this flame in the darkness, my hope for a better life will continue to burn despite any struggles I may face.
Everyone wants good things, but things are never always good. The sun is never always out; sometimes clouds are in the way. But we can learn to appreciate those times as well.
This was taken right outside our main compound — the small field where I play football with the boys during break times. It was raining so while sitting at the steps, I realised how peaceful the droplets and reflection of the puddles were against the sound of the rain and light thunder. It reminded me how important it is to take a pause and find peace in your life, no matter where you are!
At night, I sometimes look out the window at the street lamps lining the sides of the streets. I know that this is something that most people don’t even notice, but I don’t have the same freedom yet and I can only look at them from afar. To me, these lamps represent the day I get to start anew. It is definitely daunting, but I am very hopeful.
I want to believe that I deserve a beautiful life. Just like this sky, I want my life to be filled with warmth. I am thankful for the good things I have in my life, such as the new friends I made here, the good teachers who care about me, and the fact that I have my whole youth ahead of me. I hope to put my past behind me and work towards a better life for myself.
