by Erica Belli
As always, the goal was to “meet participants where they are” and leave them with experiences they would remember and cherish even amidst such challenging circumstances.
In November 2024 I had the privilege to work with children in the refugee camp of Borici in Bihac, Bosnia. These children, together with their families, are facing incredible hardships while navigating the “Balkan Route,” a perilous journey that often begins in countries like Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and even Mongolia. The route winds through Turkey, Bulgaria, Greece, Bosnia, Serbia, and Croatia, with destinations in Western Europe such as Germany, Italy, and France.
This grueling journey involves traveling for weeks or months, often on foot, through forests, across rivers, and over mountain ranges. Migrants face pushbacks from public authorities and are subject to various forms of hostility and violence at the hands of police and anti-migrant vigilantes. The route has gained the nickname “The Game,” a term that belies the great risk of repeated border-crossing attempts.
It is an understatement to say that the children in these reception camps have seen hardships that no child should experience. The way they are living is a violation of human and children’s rights.
My time in the camp was a humbling experience. Over the days I marveled at how open, trusting, and generous the group of children showed to be.
Using a variety of creative, arts-based methods, the children and I explored their stories and dreams. We created a card game to inspire photo-taking, drew and wrote on pictures, mimed photographs, and used a projector to imagine places they wished to be at that exact moment. Together, we crafted a final movie based on the photos they had captured during the week – a product born out of their unique vision and voice.
The children’s creativity inspired me every step of the way, taking unexpected turns that kept me on my toes and allowed me to use a flexible approach to our activities. As always, the goal was to “meet participants where they are” and leave them with experiences they would remember and cherish even amidst such challenging circumstances.
I am deeply grateful for these amazing kids and for their willingness to explore their experiences through art and share their stories with me. Their strength and creativity will stay with me long after this experience.
The author would like to thank JRS Bosnia, in particular Aleksandra Omerovic, for her care and support. This project was made possible through Culture Moves Europe, a mobility scheme program supported by the European Union.
Erica Belli is an educator, facilitator, and project coordinator at PhotovoiceWorldwide. She teaches a 5-session, 10-hour course in “Arts-Based Methods for Creative Facilitation” and provides mentoring in the same field. Contact Erica at erica@pvww.org to inquire about upcoming trainings.
