HELIAAR SMITS My name is Heliaar, formerly Babs. For personal reasons, I let go of my birth name and chose Heliaar (Helios x Earth), my soul name. My life revolves around peace, movement, and creation—values that ultimately led me to photography. As a child, I was deeply affected by the way people interact with one another and with animals. This awareness of injustice has shaped me throughout my life. At the same time, I found joy and energy in movement: sports, meditation, drawing, and painting provided an emotional and creative outlet. My search for peace and healing led me to social work. I spent 44 years in this field, including 30 years in trauma and school social work. I believe that every person has value, can change, and can develop self-respect. Yet I discovered that I first had to learn this for myself. Over 24 years, I grew both professionally and personally, until I began working in asylum centers, where people from war-torn regions had suffered immense pain. There, words were not enough; I had to confront the war within myself, release negative energy, and transform it into positive strength. I began painting icons and discovered photography. Working with light and beauty—even in seemingly negative situations—helps me maintain my positive, loving energy. This is the energy I want to share with the world. After almost being overwhelmed by the war in Gaza, I decided to shift my focus: I refuse to lose myself in images of pain and instead choose to radiate love and positivity, especially through photography. I am now developing my artistic and creative skills at Ki-tan, for which I am grateful.