Very proud to have some of the young people I photographed in Ukraine remembered in this incredible book, “we the children”, recently published by UNICEF.

The book explores the work of 45 photographers who all participated in the UNICEF Photo of the year award. My portrait of the young homeless girl Yana in Odessa, Ukraine won the award in 2005.

The award was presented to me in Berlin by the then German presidents wife Eva Louise Kohler. Ms Kohler took such an interest in Yana that some months later she asked me to take her to Ukraine to visit where Yana once lived. Ms Kohlers interest and presence in Ukraine did so much to help – but I dread to think what is happening now with the growing conflict with Russia.

Thanks also to Angela Rupprecht for inviting me to take part in the award when we met in Perpignan what now seems like a lifetime ago!

If you are unaware of the plight of “The Neglected” street children of Ukraine you can find out more here, and read more about poor Yana here.