San Fernando Through the Eyes of Children: UNICEF's Safe Cities Initiative

When 15-year-old Israel moved from Cuba to Trinidad and Tobago in 2022, he never imagined photography would help him see his new home differently.

“I didn’t really know what we were going to do, but then when I came, it was very, very fun,” he said. “I think it’s very important to have these child-friendly spaces because children can learn different things to help them in the future.”

Chosen by his peers as the best photographer in UNICEF’s Cities in the Eyes of Children initiative, Israel discovered more than a skill. Through his lens, he shared both pride and concern: a broken flag, bustling markets, and images that reflected how children experience city life.

“This is a great country, but they don’t know what they have,” he explained. “They should do the right things before it’s too late.”

Looking at cities through children’s eyes

Israel was one of 15 young people from San Fernando who took part in the project, which provides children with the tools to document their realities and influence urban planning.

Trinidad and Tobago is a high-income country, but children in urban areas face real risks. Rising violence, unsafe streets, lack of play spaces and pollution near schools all affect their wellbeing. National data shows nearly 70% of children experience violent discipline methods.

Against this backdrop, the children first explored their rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. They then trained with international photographer Giacomo Pirozzi, who has run similar workshops in more than 60 countries.

“Children’s photographs are much more powerful than our own,” said Pirozzi. “They know exactly their reality. It’s their lives they are talking about — and that makes it much more powerful.”

Children speaking for themselves

The images captured told stories of garbage disposal, homelessness and pollution, alongside hopes for safer communities.

“We were also introduced to children’s rights, how we see the world and the fact that we don’t have to stay quiet,” said Hosea, 15. “We can make suggestions to make the city more child-friendly, where people can walk around safe and secure without danger.”

For UNICEF, creating space for such voices is essential. “Children live in the reality of the city,” said Maryam Abdu, UNICEF’s Chief of Social Policy in the Eastern Caribbean. “It’s not about us speaking on their behalf. It’s about them speaking up — and usually, it is a very powerful tool.”

From photos to policies

The children’s work will culminate in a public exhibition and policy dialogue in San Fernando, bringing their images and commentaries to city leaders and decision-makers. The aim is to turn children’s perspectives into concrete recommendations for safer, more inclusive, child-friendly cities.

For Israel, Hosea and their peers, the project is proof that their voices matter. By turning cameras on their communities, they are holding up a mirror that cannot be ignored. Because no one sees a city more clearly than the children who call it home.

Story Authored by Kareem Smith, Senior Communications Associate at UNICEF Eastern Caribbean