Those curious to see how the other half lives — and by other half, we mean the innocents orphaned by ongoing insurrection — can get a sobering look into the struggle for survival in the Middle East Thursday night at the reception for “The Children of Syria” exhibition in the Russell Senate Office Building.  

The reception, which is scheduled to take place in the Kennedy Caucus Room from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., caps a two-day run of the featured snapshots enjoyed in the Russell Rotunda.  

The jarring images are the handiwork of a half-dozen international photojournalists working to chronicle the gravity of making one’s way through a war-torn existence. Many of the portraits are absolutely heartbreaking.  

A few are genuinely inspiring.  

Judge for yourself by taking in the full breadth of the 20 stolen moments before they disappear.  

According to one of the event sponsors, Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., Bob Casey, D-Pa., and Tim Kaine, D-Va., are all expected to swing by the reception. Those who wish to join them should ping rsvp@artworksprojects.org to gain entrée.