Teens In A Refugee Camp Have Launched Their Own Creative Magazine About What Life There Is Really Like
It makes you feel like you're there with them...
Emily HooleyWhile you guys may have been revising for your big summer exams, young people living in Ritsona refugee camp in Greece were working on their own project.
Can a bunch of grown ups from MTV pass a real GCSE? Time to find out...
They’d had a vision: to launch their own magazine filled with the creative expression of young people living in the camp. And with the help of Lighthouse Relief Hellas’ Youth Engagement Space they were able to do it, and it was published in time for International Youth Day.
If you’re going to read one (more) thing today, make it the Ritsona Kingdom Journal.
Filled with art work, cooking recipes, poems, photographs and more, the Ritsona Kingdom Journal contains the hopes, fears, and musings of young people hoping to shed light on what life is really like in a refugee camp. And they didn’t just think up the mag - they oversaw each stage in its creation, from its design and layout to its distribution.
Saman Hassani from Iran created this piece of art in Issue 1:
And this fashion section showcases the jewellery young people have been making in the camp:
In 2016 the refugee crisis was a huge focus of global news features and humanitarian campaigns, but recently it’s been side-lined with all the Brexit/ Donald Trump/ terrorism news. It’s easy to forget that victims of war are still struggling to live meaningful lives while stranded in camps, having often witnessed terrible things and been separated from their families.
We LOVE Ritsona Kingdom Journal and everything it represents. It serves as a HUGE reminder about how dehumanising the word “refugees” can become and how refugee camps are filled with such a diverse group of individuals - many of whom are incredibly passionate and creative. It shows us that young people there, just like others around the world, are filled with the desire to learn and create, and the ambition to make something of themselves.
Youth Ritsona are apparently aiming to publish one issue every two months so keep an eye out… but in the meantime, read Issue 1 or Issue 2 here!
24 Inspirational Celebrity Quotes That’ll Give You Life
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“When I’m not feeling my best I ask myself, ‘What are you gonna do about it?’ then I use the negativity to fuel the transformation into a better me.” – BeyonceGetty Images -
“I went through my sh*t, I came out on the other side, and I’m going to show you it gets better." – Justin BieberGetty Images -
“There are always going to be kids who are mean and say stuff, but the people that matter to you - the people you love, like your parents, your siblings, and your friends - those are the people you should listen to.” – Kendall JennerGetty Images -
There may be times when you do panic, or you do get in a flap about something, but if you know that ultimately you’re going to be okay, at least you can say you did it, or you tried it, and at least you won’t be left thinking “what if?” - ZoellaGetty Images -
"There's a lot of things that come with the life you could get lost in. But you have to let it be what it is. I've learnt not to take everything too seriously." – Harry StylesGetty Images -
"No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind." - Taylor SwiftGetty Images -
“One request: No regrets.” – Troye SivanGetty Images -
“When you realize who you live for, and who’s important to please, a lot of people will actually start living. I am never going to get caught up in that. I’m gonna look back on my life and say that I enjoyed it – and I lived it for me.” - RihannaGetty Images -
“I’ve learned it’s important not to limit yourself. You can do whatever you love to do, no matter what it is.” – Ryan GoslingGetty Images -
"Girls are shamed for their bodies & made to believe that they're not supposed to show them or love them, that they aren't perfect, that they need to 'work on it’ or they need to see themselves differently — & I think it's ridiculous.” – Bella ThorneGetty Images -
"This is life and imperfection is beautiful and don’t be afraid of that." – Dylan O’BrienGetty Images -
"Love yourself. Come on, nobody is perfect. Not you, not your mom, even the people on TV — nobody is perfect, and there's always something that nobody likes, but you know you just accept that. Your imperfections make you beautiful." - Keke PalmerGetty Images -
“If you're different, or if you think something about you is just weird and out of the ordinary, I just think that's so dope.” – Kylie JennerGetty Images -
“Smile and let everyone know that today, you’re a lot stronger than you were yesterday.” – DrakeGetty Images -
"I wish I could tell every young girl with an eating disorder, or who has harmed herself in any way, that she's worthy of life and that her life has meaning. You can overcome and get through anything." – Demi LovatoGetty Images -
"Girl power is almost more powerful and more special than anything we are competing for." - Selena GomezGetty Images -
"Enjoy yourself in the good moments and to push yourself in the hard moments." – Anna KendrickGetty Images -
“Sometimes in life you don’t always feel like a winner, but that doesn’t mean you’re not a winner.” - Lady GagaGetty Images -
"I'm over trying to find the adorable way to state my opinion and still be likable. F*ck that." – Jennifer LawrenceGetty Images -
"It's so cheesy to say this, but it's the journey, not the end goal, that's important." – Emma WatsonGetty Images -
"Be open to new experiences, be open to the idea that it may take longer than you want, but if you're open to meeting new people and new adventures, then love will come along." – Lily CollinsGetty Images -
“You don’t need to look like everybody else. Love who you are.” – Lea MichelleGetty Images -
“We must continue to stand for what we believe in: love, acceptance, equality, fairness and respect for all. We mustn't be divided. We must reach out and hold on to each other.” – Kris JennerGetty Images -
“If you’re presenting yourself with confidence, you can pull off pretty much anything.” – Katy PerryGetty Images
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