Tales from the Camp

• The contest “Tales from Burj El Barajneh” is a unique opportunity to give voice to refugee adolescents and to make their reality known to the world. Through the power of storytelling, this contest aims to create a bridge of understanding and solidarity, helping to build a better future for the young people of Burj El Barajneh.
• The stories will explore the experience of life in the camp, the daily challenges, the memories of Palestine passed down from previous generations, and the hopes and dreams for the future.
• The project aims to raise public awareness about the condition of Palestinian refugees and to enhance the expressive and creative abilities of the adolescents of Burj El Barajneh.

Theme and Content

• Focus: The stories must be focused on the life experience of refugee adolescents in the Burj El Barajneh camp in Beirut.
• Sub-themes: The stories can explore different aspects of this experience, such as:
  • Daily life in the camp – Children
  • The challenges and difficulties faced
  • Memories and stories about Palestine passed down by parents and grandparents
  • Hopes and dreams for the future
  • Relationships with family and community
  • Identity and sense of belonging
• Authenticity: The importance of authentic and personal stories, based on lived experiences or family stories, is emphasized.

Story Length

• Guidelines: The stories must be between 5000 and 6000 words.

Age of Participants

• Age range: Adolescents aged between 12 and 18 years can participate in the competition.
• Residence: Participants must be residents of the Burj El Barajneh camp.

Language

• The stories must be written in English. They can be also written in Arabic and will be subsequently translated into English.

How to Participate

• Submission format: Stories must be submitted in digital format (Word file).
• Deadline: The stories must be submitted by MAY 30, 2025.
• Submission method: Stories must be submitted to the Makani association (email, delivery to an association representative).
• Contact information: Each story must include the full name of the author, age, a short paragraph of presentation, and contact information (email or phone number).

Evaluation Criteria

• Originality: The stories must be original and not published elsewhere.
• Writing quality: Clarity, style, ability to engage the reader.
• Relevance to the theme: How much the story reflects the experience of life in the camp and the proposed sub-themes.
• Emotional impact: The ability of the story to move and make the reader reflect.
• The Jury Panel: The jury will consist of 5 members, including the two jury presidents.

Prizes and Awards

• Publication: The 12 selected stories will be published in a collection.
• Other prizes: The authors of the 12 selected stories will receive a copy of the published book and a symbolic prize in USD. Total prizes amount: 475 USD.
  • 1^st prize: 125 USD
  • 2^nd prize: 75 USD
  • 3^rd prize: 50 USD
  • From 4^th to 12^th prize: 25 USD

Informed Consent

• Requirement for participation: It is essential to obtain informed consent from parents or legal guardians for participation in the competition and the publication of the stories.
• Privacy: The confidentiality of participants’ personal data will be guaranteed. Only the author’s name and age will be published. The surname or any information that could make them recognizable will not be published.