Experiences in creating Za’atari magazine in the refugee camp

Since the end of June, I have been working as one of team members to make a monthly magazine that JEN initiates in partnership with UNHCR. The concept of this magazine is to have refugee voices’ heard by their words. At the moment, both Japanese staff and Jordanian staff are mainly editing, including a picture selection. Although we are editing, all articles in the magazine come from the refugees.
As I walked into the camp, what I felt was the camp is large enough and it was not what I had imagined. Thus, it might be a little difficult for refugees to communicate with each other. This magazine gives them ideas such as what are other people living far away doing? How do they spend their spare time? And what is happening in the camp now? What is new? and so on. In this way, it can be said that the magazine could be a communication tool as well as a source of entertainment.

[Children holding the magazine]

The magazine has created many opportunities for me to meet and talk to refugees. One thing that I have noticed is that their way of life is gradually changing considering that it has been 2 years since Zaatari Camp was opened. Currently, many refugees live in prefabs　rather than simple tents that are made of vinyl. You can see many prefab decorated colourfully. Some of them decorate their rooms by using curtains, mat and lace materials. This is just one example that I present. As you can imagine, there are many refugees who are good at playing music, decorating, creating artistic pieces, creating proverb as well as poems and playing sports and much more. many talented individuals indeed.

[colourfully-decorated prefab]

I would especially like to talk about the children and the youth in this camp, more than 50% of total camp population are estimated  under 17 years old. Young people are full of potential. Even though the situation is very dire and it seems that opportunity for them is limited, they have creativity and originality to get through this tough period in their lives and make something new of their own.
By drawing pictures and writing articles/stories, the children and the youth could participate in JEN’s monthly magazine. What this magazine could do more is that it gives chance for them to enhance their creativity by offering them opportunities as to how to edit the magazine or how to take pictures and so on. This magazine will surely be a good tool to encourage their potential.

[many children attending events]

[a boy making a kite by polystyrene]

Reported by Okabe

【JEN is now accepting donations. Your help would be very much appreciated.
DONATE here】

【Click here to know more about JEN 20th Anniversary innitiative】