
For the last thirty plus years award-winning global photographer Mimo Khair has been traveling the world documenting social issues, which include human and children’s rights. TWE interviewed Mimo in 2014 after we saw her remarkable photo of a young Syrian refugee girl in the streets of her camp in North Lebanon.
Now Mimo has a new book, Facing Future: Portraits of Resilient Children. You see that young refugee, Reem, appearing on the cover. Through email, I caught up with Mimo in Germany to get an update and find out about her latest photographic project, which resonates with her own personal resilience. Mimo had a rough childhood and has persisted valiantly.
EYE: The photos in your book are engrossing. We’re including some of them in this post with your captions. What motivated you to do this book?
MIMO: As a child, my formative years were overshadowed by the grim reality of growing up in a war-torn environment. I grappled with the harsh truth of what it means to have one’s childhood threatened by the premature weight of conflict.

At a tender age, I found myself thrust into the harrowing world of child soldier training, a stark testament to the dire consequences of leadership driven solely by power and greed. Despite the adversity I faced as all children did in Lebanon at that time, I clung to hope, nurtured a profound love for life, and possessed an indomitable will to survive.
EYE: How did you ever survive?
MIMO: My resilience and determination propelled me to break free from the confines of my birthplace, prompting me to embark on a solitary journey from Lebanon to New York at the age of 20. In the face of immense challenges, I steadfastly believed in the inherent strength of young people – their unwavering resilience, their unbreakable tether to life, and the sacred clarity with which they perceive the world.
In retrospect, I am reminded of the invaluable lessons learned from my tumultuous upbringing. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of childhood, a beacon of hope that continues to inspire me as I navigate the complexities of adulthood.
EYE: Is there a theme that runs through Facing Future?
MIMO: At the heart of this theme lies the resilience of children, their remarkable ability to navigate through the most challenging of circumstances – be it war, poverty, or the absence of resources and education. Despite facing daunting obstacles, each child possesses a distinct fingerprint, a unique DNA, and boundless potential for a meaningful future.
Regardless of their origin, background, ethnicity, or circumstances, it is our collective responsibility to safeguard, nurture, recognize and honor their inherent worth. We should support these young individuals until they are ready to embark on their own journeys towards fulfilling their destinies.

Every child represents a new possibility, a fresh opportunity to shape a brighter tomorrow. They are the architects of tomorrow. It is our duty to empower them to realize their full potential and contribute positively to the world around them.
EYE: Who are the children in Facing Future and how did you find them?
MIMO: The children come from five different geographic locations and are sorted into five chapters in the book. Working with the United Nations, UNICEF, and an NGO “Let Us Create,” I took about eight years for this specific project. I traveled to 20 countries in that period, five of which are covered in the children’s project.
EYE: In what places and situations did you find them?
MIMO: The situations were wide ranging. Young children and teens, demobilized child soldiers in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, had been rescued from the grips of militia life and were finding refuge in sheltered centers, where they embarked on a journey of healing through art and education.

Engaging in creative expressions such as painting, dancing, learning, music, and crafts, they were traumatized but reclaiming their shattered childhoods with unwavering determination.
They harbored dreams of a brighter future – dreams of creating, traveling, rejoining families, and simply rediscovering the joys of childhood. Their resilience was awe-inspiring, a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to overcome even the darkest of circumstances.
EYE: Were you able to connect with street children like you’ve done in your previous work?
MIMO: During my time in Goma and Kinshasa, I also had the privilege of meeting and photographing street children and refugees. Their stories resonated deeply with me, and I became a messenger of their fervent desire for peace. Despite facing unimaginable hardships, they yearned for a world free from conflict and violence where they could live in safety and dignity.

Through their courage and resilience, these children taught me invaluable lessons about the power of hope, belief, and the universal longing for peace. Their voices serve as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to work tirelessly towards building a more just and compassionate world for all.
EYE: What were other situations you documented?
MIMO: Under the care of the NGO “Let Us Create” in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, I met these young souls who were engaged in painting and learning. It was not only to express themselves but also to uplift themselves and their families from the grip of poverty. Instead of resorting to alternative means of earning money, they were empowered by the NGO to channel their creativity into painting.
Through the sale of their artwork, they were able to build homes for their families, put food on the table, and embrace a life filled with fulfillment away from the harsh realities of the streets. These children’s resilience, kindness, strength, humor and boundless creativity were a testament to their spirits’ capacity to triumph over adversity.

Their stories exemplify the profound impact that grassroots initiatives can have in empowering vulnerable communities and shaping a brighter future for generations to come.
EYE: Whom did you meet in China?
MIMO: The Uyghur children in Xinjiang, China, are part of an oppressed minority subjected to stringent Chinese laws that suppress their belief systems, language, and cherished cultural traditions. Their communities and way of life are systematically dismantled in what amounts to ethnic cleansing, leaving the young generation rootless, living in a state of perpetual fear and uncertainty.
Despite the immense challenges of oppression and adversity they face, their belief in their identity and cultural heritage cannot be erased, no matter the severity of the circumstances imposed upon them.
They hold on to their hopes and dreams, a testament to the enduring human spirit and the power of resilience in the face of injustice.
EYE: Where did you find Syrian refugee children and how are they doing?
MIMO: I visited the refugee children from Syria sheltering in Lebanon. Lebanon continues to hold the record for hosting the highest number of refugees per capita and per square kilometer globally, with government estimates indicating approximately 1.5 million Syrian refugees residing in the country, venturing into refugee camps,

into re-education camps by the Chinese authorities.
I encountered children whose eyes shimmered with hope amidst adversity. They found joy in simple pleasures, like celebrating the arrival of water trucks on scorching summer days and handouts from humanitarian organizations like the United Nations, as well as local assistance from the Lebanese communities. Yet, they grappled with the harsh reality of losing their homes, toys, friends, and schools indefinitely.
Tragically, today, their hosts, the Lebanese people, confront the harsh reality of economic collapse and widespread poverty, even as they continue to extend hospitality to these displaced neighbors. It’s a poignant reminder of the interconnectedness of human suffering and the urgent need for collective action to alleviate the plight of both refugees and their hosts.
EYE: You’ve been to India two times now?
MIMO: I traveled to India for the second time in 2016 to photograph the street children and people of Varanasi and slums of Delhi. I was always fascinated by the life of faith the Indian people live. Their traditions and lives are centered around their religion.
I saw the light in the eyes of the children despite the poverty and lack of resources. Their eyes were strong and glowing despite the flies on their faces and the dust that covered their skins. I always felt the soul of the Indian people, and in the children, you feel it most.
EYE: Is there something all these children shared?
MIMO: The children exuded a purity and freshness inherent in youth, untouched by the complexities of the world, brimming with untapped potential for greatness. They are the genuine architects of tomorrow, each with the ability to carve out their own path towards a brighter future.
EYE: What have you taken away from this project you that is different from your other projects?
MIMO: Embarking on this project has proven to be the most challenging endeavor I’ve ever undertaken. Throughout the process, I found myself engaged in a constant internal battle, delving deeper into my own childhood experiences. It became apparent to me that this work was not only necessary but imperative, both for my personal growth and for the healing of my inner child.
As adults, we often bury our emotional wounds, fearing the pain they may evoke if brought to light. Yet, I realized that confronting this pain was essential for the completion of my task.
It compelled me to confront my own truth, acknowledging both the joys and the hardships of my past experiences. Through this journey, I have emerged as a stronger and more authentic individual. It forced me to confront my own innermost feelings and to embrace the truth of my experiences, both the positive and the painful.
EYE: What is your next project?
MIMO: Under the title “Facing Future,” my current project, a month-long photographic exhibition, is set to debut alongside this book in September, 2024 in Venice, Italy.

Following this book, I envision a new project titled “Facing Past,” which will feature portraits of individuals I’ve encountered during my global travels, individuals who have deeply touched me, whose stories encapsulate the essence of humanity.
EYE: What do you want readers to take away?
MIMO: My aim is to inspire readers to contemplate the condition of the world, envisioning a future filled with possibilities for our children and their children. I firmly believe in the inherent power, resourcefulness, and resilience of the young.
They possess the potential for a remarkable future, and all they require from us is the freedom to embrace their true selves. As adults, it is our noble responsibility to nurture and support children, offering them an unimpeded path to lead us towards a brighter tomorrow.
Each child inherently carries the capacity for positive transformation, and perhaps our role is as simple as guiding them without obstructing their innate potential.
EYE: Thank you, Mimo for putting your photographic talent to such impactful use. Your time is much appreciated and TWE wishes you much success with Facing Future!
Everyone interested in buying Mimo’s book can do so by using this link for Facing Future by Mimo Khair. Shopify transfers money orders to American dollars if purchased through their link.
Photos: Mimo Khair
Social Media links:
Website: https://mimokhairphotography.com/
X: @mimokhair
Instagram: @mimokhair
More power to artists like you Mimo – thank you for showing the world some of the sad yet hopeful circumstances our future architects face amid the senseless wars and violence happening in many parts of the world today. I admire the message you are conveying to the world through your art!