On October 15, 2024, the opening of the powerful photo exhibition "Here, Where I Am" took place at the Swimming Pool in Sofia, showcasing the creative works of five unaccompanied minors accommodated in IOM’s Safe Zone in RRC Sofia - Ovcha Kupel. The exhibition, curated by the professional photographer and mentor Mihaela Vatcheva, is the result of the "Photo Workshop 66" initiative, a documentary photography workshop organised by Mihaela for a second year in a row and aimed at empowering refugee children through creative expression.

The young photographers—Yusuf Younes Abdulrahman, Abdulhamid Alsalem, Mohamed Al Arab, Hani Mohamed Idi, and Zaid Hamad—presented deeply personal photo stories that offer a unique glimpse into their experiences of life in Sofia. Through their lenses, the children captured moments reflecting both the beauty of the city and the challenges of displacement, blending feelings of confinement and aspiration.

IOM Bulgaria’s social workers played a crucial role in supporting the project, working alongside Mihaela Vatcheva and IOM’s psychologist Teodora Nikolova. Together, they helped the children navigate the emotional challenges of sharing their personal stories, providing bilingual and culturally sensitive care throughout the workshop.

The exhibition launch was attended by notable guests, including Ms. Seda Kuzucu, UNHCR Bulgaria Representative, and Mr. Vassil Terziev, Mayor of Sofia, who both delivered speeches highlighting the significance of the initiative. Annie Raykov from IOM Bulgaria also spoke about the importance of empowering unaccompanied minors through creativity, emphasizing the role such projects play in helping these young individuals develop a sense of community and identity.

"Here, Where I Am" is not just an exhibition but a testament to the resilience and creativity of young refugees. By providing them with the tools to tell their own stories, this initiative fosters empowerment and self-expression, offering these children a platform to share their perspectives with the world.

The exhibition will run until October 25, 2024, with a special panel discussion on October 17 featuring international photographers to explore the ethics of photographing minority communities.

The realization of Mihaela’s inspiring project received support from IOM, UNHCR Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Red Cross, and Multi Kulti Collective, and has been recognized as a "good practice" by the European Commission’s EWSI integration platform.