Photo essay

Rooftop, a Piece of Freedom

The second-place winner of the 2nd joint Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance – UNICEF Iran photo contest “Children’s Lives during COVID-19 Pandemic”

Erfan Kouchari
13 October 2021

Professor, John Medina, molecular biologist, says: “our children will not grow alone, and the necessity of being in a group, tribe and society is undeniable for them and this is the key to the mental and behavioral development of the children.”

Children have no role in the outbreak of the COVID-19. However, it is evident that the physical communication of children with others in the contemporary technological world has declined and after the COVID-19 outbreak has been almost decreased to none. This issue brings about Irreparable harms to their mental development.

Through this photo story, I have tried to depict the children trying to enjoy their inalienable right to play. Current situation forces them to play on the rooftops which of course is not safe and poses countless risks for the children.

Erfan 1
Erfan Khouchari
10 years old Fatemeh is practicing alone on the rooftop of their house in Damavand neighborhood of Tehran since the gym is closed.
erfan 2
Erfan Kouchari
Shayan and Setayesh on their balcony are solving puzzles with their friend standing on their rooftop.
Erfan 3
Erfan Khouchari
12 years old Aliin Iran neighborhood planting seeds in their small rooftop garden.
Erfan 4
Erfan Khouchari
Abbas is playing swing with his 4 years old sister, Helma.
erfan 5
Erfan Kouchari
Mohamad Reza, 11, and Narges, 10, are playing hide and seek on their rooftop in Chitgar neighborhood. These sort of exciting games can pose real risks for children’s safety.
Erfan 6
Erfan Kouchari
Mr. Tajik, has set up a tent on the rooftop on the Nature Day to entertain his children and fly kites.
Erfan 7
Erfan 7
Hossein, 12, and her cousin, Fatemeh, 10, are watching the scenery from their rooftop. Fatemeh is visiting her uncles for the first time in two months.
Erfan 8
Erfan Kouchari
Mehdi, 15, is playing on the rooftop of his house in the Si Metri Ji neighborhood, Tehran.
Erfan 9
Erfan Kouchari
Mani, 5, after playing with his father is tired and sting on some bricks. The green space on their rooftop was his playground even before the outbreak.
Erfan 10
Erfan Kouchari
Ali has set up a tent on the rooftop to entertain his children Ilia and Helia and now this tent has turned into a playing and book reading place for the children.

Related topics

COVID-19
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Middle East and North Africa

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