Italy-based photographer Escapista recently traveled to Syria, a country in the midst of a gruesome Civil War. He made the risky trip to help out a humanitarian group and to document the situation. There, he braved explosions, aggressive guards, and more in the hopes of bringing added attention to the plight of the Syrian people.
In April, I had the chance to travel to Syria with a humanitarian organization called “Syrian Children Relief”. From the Turkish city of Reyhanli, we crossed the border to Syria, looking for the best place where we could pass the barbed wire fences with our sack full of children’s games.
We passed through dozens of militia checkpoints, and had the chance to meet a lot of wonderful children and to bring them a few smiles. We saw a country in ruins, with a population that’s become accustomed to the daily bombings. We talked to militia and to teenagers who held AK47’s in their arms as they would hold the hands of their beloved.
We prayed, we ate, and we had our share of bombs go over our heads. We saw a country in pieces. We crossed the border again, but with smugglers; Lord knows what they where smuggling.
These photos are from a country prostrated by a horrific civil war, practically forgotten by western countries until the moment that someone brings their war to our homes.