The young photographers don't come from affluent or middle class families. In material terms, they may not have a lot but when it comes to ingenuity and having visions for a brighter future, these children are no less than their privileged contemporaries. And that was evident through their photographs of children who work for a living as well as children with disabilities. The photographs demonstrate an up-close and personal touch, perhaps because the photographers have a better understanding of what they were working with. The nine photographers participating in the exhibition are: Shampa Pervin, Dolly Akhter, Sohel Ahmed, Rubina Akhter, Amir Hossain, Shamima Akhter, Nazrul Islam, Ibrahim Hossain and Nazmul Huda Rubel.

The chief guest of the inaugural function, Mustafa Monwar said in his speech, "This exhibition is a significant step in recognising our future, the young generation. These children haven't just taken shots with their cameras; they have managed to bring out the soul of the photographs. That is a rare talent."

Kristin Jeppesen, programme manager of SCSD said, "Children are not always taken seriously but we can get many fresh ideas from them. They have their own way of expressing themselves. SCSD wants to create a world, which listens to all children and learns. That is the raison d'etre of the exhibition."

The photographs on display are categorised under five themes, Education: Dream, Home: Leisure and sleep, Struggle: Food and health, Struggle and survival and Even though this is our joy and happiness.

Shampa, one of the photographers who is also the co-convener of Dishari Club, an affiliation of Community Participation and Development (CPD), feels all children should be treated as equals. Yet, working and street children are marginalised at every walk of life. She and the other photographers sought to narrate these children's stories through the photographs.

The venue, decorated with colourful kites hanging from above, perhaps makes one contemplate the 'lost childhood' of the working children. Some of the photographs show children engaged in back-breaking labour like working with heavy machinery. Children are also seen working at tea stalls, polishing shoes or begging on the streets. Some photographs show differently-abled children at schools, while some show the exhausted child labourers taking a brief nap under the smoldering sun on the streets. Yet these unfortunate children haven't lost their passion for life. They are seen taking dips in ponds or playing games when they get opportunities to act their age.

The photographs don't confront viewers with issues they are not aware of but it's time we realised these children do not need our commiseration. They need what rightfully belongs to them: access to education, emancipation from child labour and a fair shot at an optimistic future.

The exhibition ends on October 5.