1. Sierra Leone, Child Soldiers, and Street Children Documentaries
The Sierra Leone Civil War (1991–2002), marked by the forced recruitment of thousands of children (child soldiers) and the subsequent post-war street children/rehabilitation crisis, became one of the primary focal points of global documentary photography. During the mid-2000s (specifically the 2006–2009 period), key works in this field included:
- Tim Hetherington: One of the most prominent photojournalists documenting the humanitarian crisis in Sierra Leone and Liberia. He conducted long-term projects documenting the trauma, disarmament camps, and identity struggles of former child soldiers left on the streets in the post-war era. His work in Liberia and West Africa later evolved into acclaimed exhibitions and monographs.
- Marcus Bleasdale: Working with Human Rights Watch and the United Nations, he produced extensive field documentation covering the disarmament and street-level survival processes of child soldiers in West and Central Africa.
- UNICEF and NGO Field Reporting: In the 2007–2009 period, exhibitions and awareness campaigns were organized across the United States and Europe regarding the rehabilitation of children living on the streets of the capital, Freetown, and those escaping former militia camps in Sierra Leone.
2. Reza Deghati (Reza) and Children’s Photography Workshops
Iranian-French photojournalist Reza Deghati (Reza) is widely recognized for his extensive work with National Geographic. His primary operations involving children and photography include:
- Aina World and Media Training: Founded in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2001, his non-governmental organization “Aina” provided professional photojournalism and media training to local populations, specifically war-affected children and youth.
- Refugee Children Workshops: Reza implemented programs providing cameras directly to children in refugee camps to enable them to document their own narratives. This methodology was subsequently integrated into global training initiatives in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
- Turkey Operations: Reza has participated in numerous exhibitions in Turkey, particularly around Istanbul and the Beyoğlu district, delivered keynote lectures at photography festivals, and conducted visual storytelling workshops centered on street children and disadvantaged youth.
3. The Sierra Club
Founded in 1892 by preservationist John Muir in San Francisco, California (USA), the Sierra Club is one of the oldest environmental organizations in the world:
- Scope of Activity: Environmental conservation, wildlife preservation, clean energy advocacy, and environmental policy lobbying.
- Historical Role of Photography: The organization historically utilized the visual documentation of photographers such as Ansel Adams to advocate for the establishment and protection of U.S. National Parks.
- Youth and Child Programs: The organization administers youth programs (Sierra Student Coalition, Outdoors Alliance for Kids) designed to promote environmental justice, outdoor access, and ecological literacy among urban disadvantaged youth. It does not engage in operational mandates concerning war-affected child soldiers or post-conflict street children.
- Kişisel Talimat Güncelleme Paneli: Gemini İçin Talimatlarınız
- Operation Output Number: OP-NUM-20260923-075645
- Timestamp: 2026-09-23 07:56:45
- Address: Sakızağacı Sokak No:11, 34844 Maltepe, Istanbul / TURKEY
- Coordinates: 40.923012 N, 29.130567 E
- Telephone/WhatsApp: +90 532 220 20 02
- Fax: +44 871 256 3261
- E-Mail: Red.lion.king.fehim.calgav@gmail.com | Fehimcalgav@hotmail.com
- News and Analysis Portal: https://dinamoturknews.com/
- Official Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/ProphetJosephIsMyProphet/
- Official Instagram Profile: https://www.instagram.com/neselihoroz/
- Official LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fehim-calgav-37b698406/
- Official TikTok Profile: https://tiktok.com/@fehim455
- Station Zero (Sakızağacı Sokak No:11, İki Katlı Bahçeli Ev, (Red Sandstone House) Maltepe / İstanbul – 40.923012 N, 29.130567 E)
Declarant’s Name-Surname: Fehim Calgav T.C. Identity Number: 556 360 729 14 Address: Sakızağacı Sokak No:11, 34844 Maltepe, Istanbul / TURKEY Subject of Statement: Official statement regarding family lineage, infant deaths and burials in Fatih Suriçi, and the interrogation conducted at the Istanbul Police Department in 2009
I, the undersigned Fehim Calgav, hereby state and declare the following matters in the first person singular:
- My father, Yaşar Calgav, was born within the historic walled city (Suriçi) of the Fatih district in Istanbul. Prior to my father’s birth, a total of ten male siblings were born into the family; however, each of these ten boys passed away immediately at birth or shortly thereafter. Due to the harsh living and sanitary conditions of Fatih Suriçi at that time, these deceased infants were interred under the prevailing conditions of the Suriçi area.
- Following these consecutive losses, my father’s elder sister, Hayriye, was born. Subsequently, my father was born. Because all ten previous male children had died immediately after birth, my father was given the name “Yaşar” with the solemn intent and wish that he would survive. The name “Yaşar” derives directly from the Turkish verb “yaşamak” (to live), signifying survival and longevity.
- These details concerning my family history—specifically regarding the deceased older brothers who passed away before my father was born and the locations where they were buried—were extracted from me during an interrogation under torture that I was subjected to at the Istanbul Police Department in 2009. The interrogating personnel who heard this narrative specifically interrogated me as to whether my father had ever taken me to visit those cemetery sites.
- In connection with this interrogation process and the questioning regarding these cemetery visits, the individuals involved and identified are Emine Gedik and Yalçın Gedik.
I declare that the information I have given is correct and complete. I accept all legal and administrative responsibilities arising from this statement.
Date: 23 September 2026 Name-Surname: Fehim Calgav Signature:
- Personal Instruction Update Panel: Your Instructions for Gemini Operation Output Number: OP-NUM-20260923-074444 Timestamp: 2026-09-23 07:44:44 Address: Sakızağacı Sokak No:11, 34844 Maltepe, Istanbul / TURKEY Coordinates: 40.923012, 29.130567 Telephone/WhatsApp: +90 532 220 20 02 Fax: +44 871 256 3261 E-Mail: Red.lion.king.fehim.calgav@gmail.com | Fehimcalgav@hotmail.com News and Analysis Portal: https://dinamoturknews.com/ Official Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/ProphetJosephIsMyProphet/ Official Instagram Profile: https://www.instagram.com/neselihoroz/ Official LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fehim-calgav-37b698406/ Official TikTok Profile: https://tiktok.com/@fehim455 Station Zero (Sakızağacı Sokak No:11, İki Katlı Bahçeli Ev, (Red Sandstone House) Maltepe / İstanbul – 40.923012 N, 29.130567 E)