Zakira has launched its first major project "Lahza".
Lahza or “Moment” seeks to identify young Palestinians with
artistic potential and to develop that talent through photography, with
the goal of creating a photographic record of what conditions and daily
life are like in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon as seen through
the eyes of children.
Our target group:
Palestinian children aged 7 to 12 years, living in and around
refugee camps in Lebanon are the main beneficiaries of this project.
This age group has been chosen on the assumption that at this age,
children will be able to understand and follow through the assigned
tasks, while also bringing out their innocence, spontaneity, and
genuineness in expressing their feelings and choosing their subjects
through in their work.
The children are selected based on a drawing exercise they take
part in to assess their artistic skill and selection of subject matter.
Lahza teaches 500 children basic photography skills and provides each
with a disposable camera asking them to portray life in the camps as
they see it. These children often live in poor conditions that are
often unsafe and unhealthy, both physically and psychologically.
We expect that the children’s photographs will provide an amazing
reflection of the daily lives of Palestinian refugees. Not only does
Lahza teach these Palestinian children an artistic skill and give them
a hobby, but it provides them with a constructive way to express the
frustrations of a people that have not been able to return to its
homeland for nearly 60 years. That way, those who demonstrate the most
talent and interest can further develop their photographic skills and
even pursue a future career in the field.
We hope to take the best 120 photographs the children produce and
publish them in a book, as well as send them around Lebanon and the
world in an international exhibit. This will not only serve as a
testament to the children’s work and skills but will also serve as an
advocacy tool for the improvement of the conditions in the camps and
the rights of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.
With the proceeds from this project, we hope to hold a series of
workshops all over the country to provide more advanced photography
training for children and youth. That way, those who demonstrate the
most talent and interest can further develop their photographic skills
and even pursue a future career in the field.
The field work portion of the Lahza project is winding down.
Zakira is now starting to work on the book and organize exhibitions for
the children’s pictures all over the world. |
