Out the window: views from lockdown from around the world

Like all of our views out the window in lockdown, every experience of lockdown has been different – both here in the UK and across the globe. That’s why we want to offer a different perspective on life in the countries we work in.

Our overseas staff and their families have created images of the views from their windows in lockdown. From Syria, to Pakistan, to the Central African Republic, every view is different.

To accompany her artwork, Vanessa has written a poem.

At the moment, Gabriel is working for Concern in a very rural area of the Central African Republic. This image represents Concern's office in Kouango. It has two buildings: one behind the car and a second one on the right side of the Concern car. The silhouette black image that you see is Gabriel, who has been stuck there for several months due to Covid-19. He told us:

"The drawing I made is the view in front of my house in Bangui. The street is not very wide and unfortunately not very green as we are in the city centre, but there is a tree a bit further and some flowers planted by the neighbours who fight every day to bring us some air and sweetness. Thanks to them, we continue to breathe well in spite of Covic-19 which affects more and more Central Africans around us every day."

"As we can't get out of the house much anymore, my brother and I wanted to get away from everyday life by drawing the view we had from our old house in Bamako. That way, we travelled a little in our own way, walking through our memories, when everyone was still free to come and go everywhere, when we could go to school, visit our grandparents and see our friends from school too.

Like the trees and flowers in the drawing, we must be careful to respect social distances so that life can quickly get back to normal!"

"The picture I drew is the view from my rooftop after the sunset. I have also attached the original picture of the view to give the viewers an idea of how beautiful and serene this city is. Islamabad used to be a forest, the glimpses of which can be seen in everyday life especially since the lockdown, as the city has become greener and the news channels report that the wildlife can be seen again during the late hours.

Covid-19 cases have surged in Pakistan recently, we stay indoors mostly and every day after the usual work from home and completing the household chores, I go on the rooftop to get connected with the outside world. The beautiful Margalla hills and the lush green trees surrounding it rejuvenates me, I take a light stroll and think about the times lying ahead. I hope the future is better and I am able to walk around this city just like the old times."

"In this picture, a view from my house window is that everywhere is silence because of Covid-19, the mother has to keep her kids inside her home irrespective of if it's day time or evening. Kids are not allowed to play outside because of fear. We do not know the time when it will be ended but still hope that sooner we will be back to a normal routine."

"People coming from outside the country is a big reason of the spreading of Covid-19 in our country. However, I am also worried about my family who have been stuck abroad and how they will get back, and in case they do get back what about their health and of course our vulnerability. Thinking this is putting us in psychological stress, the only hope are doctors, who are struggling a lot."

"It has been a long time that I haven’t been outside of my home, but even then I can imagine and see outside of my window that people are not supporting two types of people: police and doctors who are struggling day and night putting their lives on risk in order to save our lives. I really feel proud to see the struggle of police and doctors and hoping that sooner we will get out of this situation."

"The pictures are showing both the positive and negative side of Covid-19. Covid-19 has left a bad impact on a regular routine and all schools, hotels, public places and marriage halls are closed. However, on the other hand, due to lockdown, there is no traffic, no air pollution and no noise pollution. Flowers and nature are taking a breath in fresh, unpolluted air. Daily labour is suffering BUT a new income resource of selling masks and hand sanitiser is introduced."

"The picture shows two sides that my eye saw of the world in lockdown from home during Covid-19.

Outside the home: Peaceful environment and nature are smiling at my neighbourhood during Covid-19. No pollution, no traffic, clean environment, birds flying, animals with happy moods and smiling trees are breathing in fresh air. And schools are closed.

Inside of home: Working from home for women is difficult in Covid-19 with her office meetings and reports, kids’ education, cooking and domestic work.

Children activities at home during Covid-19 are watching TV and the use of social media and mobile phones, playing games and washing hand practises.

I see everyone is worried and some are weeping and saying stay home, stay safe, and the world is in lockdown."

"This picture reflects one positive outcome of this pandemic, that is decreased pollution and environmental reparation as a result of reduced traffic and industrial activity. Also, as we do not need to immediately get ready and leave for work in the morning we can actually appreciate the beauty of the flowers and birds in the pleasant morning weather as we look outside."

"Covid-19 has affected the whole world and we all have to suffer one way or other. There is lockdown everywhere and the whole world is helpless and is in big trouble. As there is no vaccine or medication for this deadly virus, the only way to save ourselves and others around us is to stay home, ensure sound health and hygiene practices and supporting each other distantly. This lifestyle can make the world safe and happy place again."

The artwork was produced by:

1. Adbul,13 Years
2. Maryam,12 Years
3. Fatima,11 Years
4. Abdul Samad Aftab,11 Years

7-year-old Shalia is the daughter of Md. Wahid, a monitoring and evaluation specialist for Concern in Bangladesh.

Through the artwork, Shaila wants to say that she is still well in the pandemic situation. She has a message to all is not to panic; always try to be happy by practising your passion. The wall artwork behind Shalia is also an example of Shaila’s younger sibling’s (Saad-al-Ayat, who is two and a half years old) practising his talent.

Jarif is the son of a staff member in Concern, Bangladesh. About his piece, Jarif said:

"I drew this picture to describe nature in the Covid-19 pandemic situation.  

Before this, we used to go to school, parks and visits anywhere in the country. But now we can’t, even outside of our home. I wanted to explain through this picture that Covid-19 has stopped all of our movements, activities and enjoyment events that we did regularly in our playground.

Everything is as usual, birds are flying, green trees are growing, water in the lake looks beautiful, fresh air at outside, animals are freely moving but only we are stopped.

I hope, sooner we will be able to play with our friends, we will start going to school again."

Juhita is the daughter of a Concern staff member in Bangladesh. About her artwork, she said:

"The picture I drew is about my leisure time, since the lockdown situation. Every afternoon I spend time with my younger brother flying kites and taking care of plants at the rooftop. Before, we both were busy with our studies, homework and extracurricular activities.

But after the Covid-19 pandemic situation in Bangladesh, our school closed and we had to stay at home all the time. It impacted on our free movement, sharing opinions with friends which is limiting our creativity. In a word, we are tired.

To get an escape from boredom, we keep our mental health sound by spending our leisure time just like the picture shows.  

I hope, the current situation must be changed and everything will become normal. And we will start schooling again."

Twelve-year-old Naira is the daughter of a Concern staff member in Bangladesh. About her artwork, she said:

The drawing is from Kouguer's room, where he can see mountains and many women on Donkeys, which is a very common mean of transportation in Sila.

This piece of artwork was created by 16-year-old Youlyos Kayssar who is the son of a Concern staff member in Lebanon.

What was your view out of the window in lockdown?