From Ukhiya to Gaza: Children’s art of solidarity in Dhaka
The healing-centered fundraising exhibition, "Echoes of Hope – Children for Children", organised by HopeWave Foundation was inaugurated at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka on January 6. The exhibition brought together drawings, handwritten letters, photographs, and process documentation created by children from Ukhiya, including those from refugee, indigenous, and underserved communities. Displayed across the gallery walls, the works present personal yet collective messages addressed to the children of Palestine, shaped by empathy, resilience, and lived understanding. Through uncomplicated visuals, handwritten words, and candid imagery, the children articulate solidarity that travels across borders, geographies, and circumstances.
Each exhibited work emerged from a three-day psychosocial art campaign conducted with children in Ukhiya. During the campaign, structured creative sessions guided participants through drawing, writing, and visual storytelling as tools for emotional expression. The process created space for children affected by displacement and instability to articulate feelings, reflect on global events, and respond through their own creative language. The resulting works document both the emotional journeys of the participants and the capacity of art-based engagement to support healing and self-expression in complex environments. Beyond its role as an exhibition, "Echoes of Hope – Children for Children" functions as a fundraising initiative. Organised in partnership with PACSOC, all funds raised through the exhibition will support the Owneh Initiative, which works with children in Gaza. This structure connects creative expression with direct material support, positioning art as an active contributor to global solidarity rather than a symbolic gesture.
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Speaking at the inauguration, Munimah Mahreen, poet, activist, and founder of HopeWave Foundation, described the exhibition as an expression of solidarity rooted in shared humanity. She highlighted the ability of children’s art to communicate compassion and collective responsibility in ways that remain direct and impactful. Curator Mubtasim Alvee noted that the exhibition centers shared empathy, drawing attention to the clarity and sincerity present in the children’s work. He emphasised that the absence of overt curatorial intervention allows the expressions to remain unfiltered and authentic. François Chambraud, Director of Alliance Française de Dhaka, spoke about the role of cultural spaces in carrying conversations on compassion and conflict, underscoring the responsibility of art institutions in sustaining dialogue and awareness.
Founded in July 2024, HopeWave Foundation focuses on creating healing-centered and culturally grounded spaces for mental health recovery, youth engagement, and global solidarity through arts-based and psychosocial initiatives. The organisation began as a community-based effort supporting individuals affected by collective trauma, with an emphasis on resilience and emotional recovery. The exhibition "Echoes of Hope – Children for Children" concluded on January 9.
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