Any photographer who has ever walked an unfamiliar neighborhood -- either in their own city or across the globe -- will eventually be assaulted by groups of children insisting that their picture be taken (with or without the advantage of a common language). It serves both well. The photographer gets an easy entrŽe into an otherwise awkward situation, and the children get a chance to play with a new, harmless, exotic visitor.

The universal statement resulting from the photograph has been made a million times. "Amid such destruction [or poverty, or hunger, or disease, or loneliness, or discrimination], the indefatigable spirit and resiliency of humanity shines through children." These photographs are yet another affirmation of this statement.

The photo to the right was taken in Dobrinja, which suffered untold destruction during the war. What is not immediately obvious in photos of children is that they suffer the greatest psychological scars from war, yet show them the least.

During the war, people -- including children -- were consumed with the daily problem of survival. Now, as they try to leave the war behind and get on with their lives, the ghosts of war are returning to haunt them.

The lack of psychologists trained in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the greatest public health problems facing Bosnia today.