Abdullah Ben Yousif is eight years old but he's also a photographer, thanks to his talent and a little help from a UN training workshop in collaboration with the Libyan Ministry of Social Affairs.

Abdullah is one of 25 children aged 7 to 17 who took part in a 5-day photography workshop last summer in which a professional photographer taught them the tricks of the trade . A selection of the pictures they took were displayed on 7 April 2013 at a photo exhibition launched by the Ministry of Social Affairs, UNICEF and the Tripoli Art House non-governmental organization under the title "Through the Eyes of Children" .

"I like taking pictures," Abdullah, a camera swinging from his neck, shyly said in an interview as scores of people attended the opening of the exhibition at a Tripoli hotel. "I took 77 pictures and I will continue to take pictures," he said with a glimpse of pride clearly showing in his eyes.

But the hobby honed by the photography workshop is not keeping Abdullah away from being what he really is, an eight-year-old boy from Tripoli. He insisted that in addition to going to school and taking pictures, he still sets aside a good time to play video games.

The photography workshop aimed at raising awareness about child rights both among children and their families as well as the general public.

Participants in the workshop, selected through a joint effort with the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Scouts, and various artistic organizations, were given the opportunity to learn the basics of photography. But more importantly they learned about their right of expression, how to work independently and as part of a team, develop their analytical skills, and develop their creativity and confidence in own abilities.

A smiling Samar Al-Fentazi, an 11-year-old girl from Zuwara, recalled her work and how she ended up becoming the No. 2 photographer of the exhibition.

"Every picture tells a story," she said, pointing to a couple of her pictures that were on display at the exhibit.

"I heard from a relative that UNICEF is having a workshop," she said as her father, Adel, and mother, Huriya, looked on. "We worked from 9 to 4 everyday, learning how to take pictures and what to photograph. We took a trip around Tripoli, snapping shots. A competition followed and I was voted in second place," she said, her eyes glowing with pride.

Asif Abodeeb, who took first place in the photography competition, is considering his next steps. The 17-year-old is already studying engineering at the university. "I benefitted a lot from the workshop and I think I want to go professional," he added.
Speaking at the exhibit, UNICEF Libya Country Director Carel de Rooy, said: "These images tell a powerful story of how children see their surroundings."

"We thank all the children for their great enthusiasm during the workshop, and we hope to organize similar workshops in the future", Minister of Social Affairs Kamla Al-Mazini said during the opening.

It was so inspiring to see how eager the children were to take part in the workshop and to develop their artistic skills and to see how genuinely happy they were while practicing and learning, said Khalifa Meidavi, the Director of the Tripoli Art House.

After Tripoli, the photographs will be exhibited in various Libyan cities to show the artistic potentials of children.