Young Migrants Tell Their Stories Through Photography

When young people cross borders searching for better lives, their stories often get lost in statistics and headlines. The GRABS project is changing that by handing them cameras and asking them to show the world what migration really looks like.

Funded by the European Research Council, GRABS takes a fresh approach to understanding migration. Instead of traditional interviews, the team uses photography exhibitions and podcasts to capture the real experiences, dreams, and hopes of young migrants.

Dr. Glenda Santana de Andrade from Paris 8 University leads the research team. She works alongside young photographers like Israel Wabikamba, who are sharing their perspectives through powerful images currently on display in Durban, South Africa.

The project's name reflects its hands-on approach. By giving young migrants creative tools to document their own lives, GRABS creates space for authentic storytelling that goes beyond what researchers alone could capture.

Why This Inspires

This project flips the script on how we understand migration. Rather than viewing young migrants as subjects to be studied, GRABS treats them as experts on their own experiences with valuable insights to share.

The photography exhibitions don't just display images. They create windows into moments of courage, adaptation, and hope that define these young people's journeys across continents.

Wabikamba's involvement shows the project's true power. When migrants become photographers and storytellers, they reclaim their narratives and inspire others facing similar challenges.

The exhibitions traveling through cities like Durban ensure these stories reach diverse audiences. Each photograph sparks conversations about resilience, humanity, and the universal desire for opportunity and belonging.

Young migrants often navigate complex systems while carrying dreams bigger than their circumstances. This project celebrates that strength while giving them platforms to advocate for themselves and their communities.