Sirkhane Darkroom
Sirkhane Darkroom is a mobile photography programme for vulnerable and underprivileged children residing in the south east of Turkey, near the Syrian border. With his caravan, photographer and Syrian refugee, Serbest Salih gives children the opportunity to shoot, develop and print their photography. He truly believes in photography as a universal and therapeutic language.
Photography courtesy of Sirkhane Darkroom 
Ahmet 15 years old from Mardin, Turkey
In Southeastern Turkey, just kilometres from the Syrian border, is Sirkhane: a mobile darkroom which travels from village to village teaching children how to shoot, develop, and print their own photographs.
Led by Serbest Salih, a young photographer and Syrian refugee, the Sirkhane Darkroom has been founded on a fundamental belief in photography as a universal and therapeutic language, and encourages children living in the area – many of whom are themselves refugees from Syria and Iraq – to experiment with the medium as both a form of play and a means of understanding the world around them.
Cemail, 14 years old from Qamishli, Syria
Meltem, 18 years old from Mardin, Turkey
Neda, 10 years old from Al Hasakah, Syria
Alan 10 years old from Mardin, Turkey
Ali, 18 years old from Kobani, Syria
Cane, 8 years old from Ras al-Ayin, Syria
Suvar, 5 years old from Aleppo, Syria
Rojin, 14 years old from Mardin, Turkey
We are soon embarking on a new journey near the Turkish Syrian border with our mobile darkroom caravan. We will travel from village to village and give an opportunity to children to express themselves through photography. With your support, we will make this happen and reach the most distant places in this area. We constantly need equipment, chemicals, cameras, and support from all artists and humans worldwide who believe in the power of art and photography.
With your support and even by donating a small amount to our campaign, you’ll make a clear statement that you believe in us, in our children, and in the power of arts in bringing change to the world.
Watch the video below to find our more about us.
“Sirkhane Darkroom has been founded on a fundamental belief in photography as a universal and therapeutic language.”
“We will travel from village to village and give an opportunity to children to express themselves through photography.”
Refai, 12 years old from Al Hasakah, Syria
Hamoude, 12 years old from Al Hasakah, Syria
Hamza, 13 years old from Al Hasakah, Syria
Reshit, 10 years old from Kobanî, Syria
Roksan, 9 years old from Ras al-Ayn, Syria
Sevin, 16 years old from Mardin, Turkey
Menal, 14 years old from Kobanî, Syria
Ceylan, 15 years old from Qamishli, Syria
Selma, 10 years old from Ad Darbasiyah, Syria
Hamoude, 12 years old from Al Hasakah, Syria
Hamit, 12 years old from Mardin, Turkey
About Sirkhane Darkroom
Darkroom is currently sustained and developed by young Syrian photographer Serbest Salih who himself escaped the Syrian war and arrived in Turkey as a refugeee.
In order for their amazing work to continue, please consider making a donation. To find our more about Sirkhane Darkroom, please visit their website or follow them on Instagram
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