Power and impact of images from the war

 The Napalm girl

The Napalm Girl, whose real name is Phan Thi Kim Phuc, became an iconic symbol of the Vietnam War's brutality. In 1972, when she was just nine years old, Kim Phuc was photographed running naked and severely burned from a napalm attack on her village, Trang Bang (image below). The powerful image captured her agony and the horrors of war, garnering worldwide attention.

Despite suffering extensive burns and enduring multiple surgeries, Kim Phuc survived and eventually moved to Canada. Over the years, she transformed from a symbol of war's devastation into an advocate for peace and forgiveness. Kim Phuc founded the Kim Foundation International, an organization dedicated to providing medical and psychological assistance to child victims of war. She also became a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, promoting peace and understanding among nations.

The iconic image, is on display at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City, where we will be visiting on 16 April.

Today, Kim Phuc continues to inspire others with her resilience and commitment to healing. She travels the world, sharing her story and advocating for peace, reconciliation, and the importance of forgiveness. Her journey from a wartime victim to a global ambassador for peace exemplifies the strength of the human spirit and serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of compassion and forgiveness in overcoming adversity.