POIGNANT displays of artwork by Syrian children refugees were on display at Trowbridge Town Hall over the weekend to show their plight in trying to flee from conflict.

Organised by Syrian Baraa Kouja from the charity From Syria With Love, the exhibition showcased 30 drawings all done by children aged between eight and 16.

The 28-year-old came to England to complete an MA course at Exeter University after several years working with refugees displaced inside the war-stricken country and since completing his course, he has been travelling the country showing these artworks to people in many venues in the UK.

He said: “This was an opportunity for ordinary Syrians to tell their stories through art, and for ordinary Britons to develop a fuller understanding of what Syrian refugees are facing.

“There is a lost generation of Syrian children growing up in refugee camps in the Middle East and in Syria itself, children losing out on education, on their roots, on the basic human right

to grow up in peace and safety.”

Mr Kouja also gave a talk to visitors where he was able to give a first-hand account of the situation that Syrians find themselves in as well as talking about the work the charity do in four small refugee camps in the Bekaa valley in Lebanon.

Mr Kouja added: “A little money can go a long way in Lebanon.

“These children are living in very poor conditions with insufficient sanitation, with temperatures dropping below zero at night. Some of them have places in local schools, some not. Most are with their families, at least.”

A total of £412 was raised for the charity from the event which will be put towards their work abroad.

For more information, visit www.fromsyriawithlove.com.