> **Six years of violence has left an indelible mark on Syrias children. They continue to pay the price of this brutal, adult war.** **Countless numbers have done so with their lives.**

For those who manage to flee the violence, safety is not guaranteed beyond Syrias borders. In many refugee host countries, children are being forced to trade their childhoods for jobs to pay basic household living expenses. Young girls are married early because their families cant provide for them and in some cases, for their own protection.

**World Vision has worked with these children since the war began. Leading up to the sixth anniversary of the conflict, we asked them to share their fears and dreams with us. We also spoke to children in relatively safe countries to better understand how exposure to violence can influence a childs view of the world and their ability to remain hopeful.** We found many childhood commonalities and a heart\-warming amount of empathy. But as one might expect, the most startling contrast was that Syrias children live in almost constant fear of violence and have been thrust into adulthood much too quickly.

World Visions new campaign It takes a world to end violence against children requires all of us to become relentless advocates for Syrias children. To hold decision\-makers and their six\-years of inaction to account.

All children have fears and dreams. Whether they become a reality is up to us.

_Mohammed_ 16, Syria My fear is that something will happen to my younger sisters. My biggest dream is to be a journalist.

After his father and uncle were shot and killed, the gun was pointed at Mohammed. He ran and hid in a nearby valley until it was safe to come out. After that, Mohammed and his remaining family fled Syrias Golan Heights to Jordan. As they left their home behind, he realised the importance of family and that his biggest fear was something happening to his younger sisters. **Hes not alone, 15 per cent of Syrian children surveyed by World Vision agreed their biggest fear was losing a family member.** It was a beautiful life. I had all my family. Everything we needed. I suppose you dont realise what you have until you dont have it anymore. Now living in Azraq Refugee Camp, Mohammed dreams of becoming a journalist.

I was interested in journalism from a young age, my uncle would buy me newspapers to read and study. Even though he was killed, I want to carry on with this dream, it is a way of honouring him. That determination has seen Mohammed and a group of friends start a magazine for youth inside the camp.

> I want to write about things that are important and actually matter, because there are a lot of children who are afraid to speak up. Hopefully this would help them have a voice.

Mohammed hopes the first issue will be ready to distribute soon.

_Hamza_ 10, Syria I fear the airstrikes. My biggest dream is to become a pilot, it would be amazing to see the world.

_Jasmine_ 8, Syria I fear for Syria when I see what is happening. My dream is to see my grandmother in Syria.

**Eight\-year\-old Jasmine and her elder sister Dalal are from Hama. They left Syria three years ago and are now living in a refugee host community in Jordan.** Their father, Hnadi can see how the conflict has affected them and tries to make life better for them each day. "I just want to give them everything they want. They should be children and enjoy their childhood, he says. Ive tried to make the house friendly and warm. We put toys up on the wall and buy them clothes like onesies. Weve felt disconnected since we left Syria.

We have an empty bird cage, and a big Tweety Bird. My kids asked me why we don't put the bird inside the cage. **I told them that birds dont belong in cages, they should be free to fly.** While the sisters miss Syria, they are grateful to be in Jordan. I feel safe here. I love Syria, but at the moment, I wouldnt feel safe there, explains Dalal. When I was in Syria I feared the airstrikes and the gun\-shots. When I see a policeman here I get scared too.

> Jasmine often watches the news with her father, the guns, the blood, it is all so scary. It is my homeland and it makes me sad to see what is happening. Even when I was living there, it was happening. I fear for Syria when I see what is happening.

The sisters, like half of the Syrian children surveyed, dream of peace and returning to Syria. Jasmine also agreed with 12 per cent of respondents who also said they wanted to be reunited with family. I miss my grandma and my aunties, I just want to see them again and hug them. Meanwhile, Dalal dreams of doing well in school and making her mother proud. When she grows up, she wants to become a nurse; joining 33 per cent of Syrian children who told World Vision they dream of a particular profession. The most common answers were doctors and teachers.

Hnadi says he is extremely proud of his children and how theyre dealing with their new life in Jordan. These are my buddies, I love them, he says as he pulls them close for a photo.

_We dream to be able to continue to dream._ \- Sisters Ghina, 16, and Nour, 14 from Syria

> **OUR WORK, OUR HOPE**

**World Visions Syria Response is offering children psychosocial support and providing them with remedial education, life\-skills and safe places to play.** Our hope is these interventions will help them through their experiences, educate them about their rights and how to protect themselves and to resolve social conflicts peacefully.

We are engaging teachers to promote a protective environment for children at school, training parents and caregivers in Positive Discipline and establishing Community Based Child Protection Committees to recognise and refer all cases of violence including physical, emotional and sexual abuse, child labour and early marriage. Our staff are also trained to identify child protection violations.

Internationally we are advocating for donors to commit to longer term funding for the Syrian crisis, for wealthy countries to take their fair share of refugees and decision\-makers to put an end to the violence. In particular, the United Nations Security Council should use all of the diplomatic tools at its disposal to stop the atrocities and protect children and their families.

**It takes a world to end** **violence against children**

Share this report if you believe Syrias children deserve a life safe from harm.