Save a Childs Heart

“If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children.”

I have been photographing the founder of The Save A Child's Heart Foundation, Dr. Ami Cohen's dream since shortly before his tragic and untimely death in 2001 and will continue as long as I can hold a camera in my hand.

Adults question how I can do this. They are uncomfortable with the subject. It makes them uneasy. They feel the photographs are painful and thus arouse anxiety and fear. They are not “pretty pictures”

The children proudly show me their scars. They smile and play and romp. They are full of joy and optimism. They have been given their lives back to realize their dreams. The parents can once again sleep soundly at night knowing their precious child will grow up and lead a normal life.

The photographs of the children and their families who have come to Wolfson Hospital in Israel from over thirty five countries around the world including much of Africa, The Far East, The former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, Iraq, Gaza and Palestine Authority are photographs of happiness not of suffering and sorrow. There is no hatred here. There are no borders. There is only one goal which is to make these children healthy and allow these children to live with strength and dignity with hope for peace in their future.

The children are a source of happiness in my life. I do not know all their names, but I have a tear in my eye when it is time for them to go home. So I put my finger on the shutter and take one more photograph.