Ivine and Pillow — One Syrian Child's Journey

UNICEF's powerful new video, "Ivine and Pillow," animates the true story of 14-year-old Ivine and her imaginary friend, "Pillow." After a perilous escape from Syria, Ivine settles in a refugee camp in Germany, but remains haunted by her journey.

 

"We were very afraid.  We were hiding in the living room," Ivine says, recalling that bombs rained down on her town, destroying homes.  She also remembers that "[t]he streets were covered with blood."

 

UNICEF launched "Ivine and Pillow" as the second of three animated shorts in a series called Unfairy Tales. Based on true stories of children escaping conflict, the videos explain why they fled and what happened on the way.

 

UNICEF hopes its Unfairy Tales series will remind everyone that — before they are migrants, refugees or members of any race, nationality or religion — children are children.  

 

Every child has rights and deserves a fair chance.  That's why we must all put children first.

 

”The stories of the three children are not unusual. At least 65 million children and young people globally are on the move — escaping conflict, poverty and extreme weather — looking for a more stable life and a place to call home,” said UNICEF's Head of Communications Paloma Escudero.

 

Watch the first video in the Unfairy Tales series: "Malak and the Boat."

 

Watch other short videos of child refugees telling their stories: 

 

Sahar's story

Besan’s story

Moheb's story

Ammar’s story

Saja’s story

Maya’s story

 

 

Learn More