Two million children worldwide are victims of commercial sexual exploitation. Dutch photographer Marieke van der Velden visited two shelters for these victims in Thailand and listened to their stories. The girls told her what it means for them to work on their future thanks to the support they receive from the Down to Zero Alliance, a joint effort of Terre des Hommes Netherlands, Plan Netherlands, Defence for Children - ECPAT, Free a Girl and ICCO Cooperation.
Marieke asked the children to draw their self-portrait or make a drawing of the person they want to become. Behind the safety of the mask they had their photo taken.
WTC Rotterdam believes in giving back and therefore supports this international photo project. We have made the Art Gallery available at no cost for this impressive photo exhibition for five weeks.