PRODUCED BY YOUTH RITSONA
RITSONA KINGDOM JOURNAL
Issue 3 August 2017
Table of Contents
The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Lighthouse Relief, and are the individual opinions of Youth Ritsona
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From the YES team Daphne, Hannah and Clara...............................................................................................2 Views of Ritsona by Zanyar Hassani..............................................................................................................3 Adapting to Ritsona Mohammed Tawfiq...........................................................................................................4 Redefining 'Refugee' Youth Ritsona.................................................................................................................5-6 Solidarity Farhad Rashid....................................................................................................................7 It's Never Too Late to Try And... Saman Hassani...................................................................................................................8 Vigil in Ritsona after the Barcelona Attack Farhad Rashid and Hamza Almustafa.............................................................................9 Wedding in Ritsona Amina Rashid..................................................................................................................10 Goodbye is Too Difficult Mustafa Shabo............................................................................................................11-12 Nature Ivan Mohamed.................................................................................................................13 'After Ritsona' Interview Conducted by Malak........................................................................................................14 'After Ritsona' Article Anonymous......................................................................................................................15 Art Mahmoud.........................................................................................................................16 Half of the Population Malak Othman.................................................................................................................17 Ritsona's Got Talent George Georges...............................................................................................................18 Refugee Hamza Almustafa............................................................................................................19 Art Continued Various Artists............................................................................................................18, 20 Workshops and Murals Text Art, Break Dancing, Stop Motion, Coding, Football, Quilt, T-Shirts.........21-24 To view past editions, visit http://www.lighthouserelief.org/ritsona-kingdom-journal
From the YES team As we sit in our outdoor space, the smell of jasmine flowers wafts through the thick air and the cicadas sing along to what we have now grown to accept as summertime in Ritsona. Our new Youth Engagement Space (YES) has withstood the test of the summer heat, with the aid of movie days, mass batches of homemade frappuccinos, and as always, the ability to laugh at ourselves, sweating through it all. Each day, new art appears in the form of murals, stop motion movies, photography, paintings, and music. The ebb and flow of those we have said goodbye to, mixed with the new faces who appear daily, keeps Youth Ritsona on its toes, and is a reminder of the impact that even the smallest of interactions can have. Many of the youth who have moved on from Ritsona have chosen to stay in touch and a unique support network has begun to form. From Greece to Germany, Sweden, Italy, and beyond, we are discovering that no border or citizenship status can divide the friendships and solidarity that are the cornerstone of the YES. To the youth we are fortunate enough to interact with each day: your art in all of its various forms continues to move and affect people and policies far and wide. Thank you for the strength it takes to share it. We stand, as always, in awe and in support of you.
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Mohammed Tawfiq Age 14 From Syria
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When I took this photo I was sick, but I was glad for myself because I could see good views
Adapting to Ritsona Year 1 First you must live in a tent. In winter: so cold. There is snow and rain, you live in a tent made from thin material and the children want to play outside and outside there is mud. There is no shower in the tent or hot water – or any water at all. In summer: it was so hot in the tent and there was no electricity, no fan, and the children played with each other in the water to be cold. And the families in Ritsona they did not like the situation, and then the organizations (UN and IOM), they brought Isoboxes to the families. And now there are many organizations that came to Ritsona to help the families, and there are many organization to do activities for the children like SUMMER CAMP, DISCO RITSONA and YOUTH RITSONA. And if you give the families here villas they will not be happy, because they need their children to live together. And there are many families here who do not want to stay in Greece for a long time, but if they want to see their children in other countries, they must wait one year and more.
Wooden photo
Year 2 And now life is reasonable. People got used to life in Ritsona. And some children visit their families, and some people opened some restaurants, and some other people opened a juice shop. And life is better than before: now in the camp we have had new babies and weddings and deaths. Life carries on.
If you want to see this beautiful view, you need to wake up at 7am in Ritsona
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Photos by Zanyar
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Redefining 'Refugee'
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The 'Redefining Refugee' project was born of a desire for youth to express their voices and claim ownership of labels that they have been assigned. We encouraged youth to think about what "refugee" means to them, giving them an opportunity to share their perspectives with the world, and to reclaim their identity" The youth also created a large political art piece, based on a text-based image workshop. They filled the word "REFUGEE" with the definitions that their peers had written on their shirts, to unify all the individual messages
A person who is at risk, in danger – not dangerous · We aren’t you enemy. We are souls like you · Put yourself in my place. Be stateless. No land. Without stability. Without safety. Then judge me · He who searches for water and food because he does not have it. And he who fled from the war to save himself. He is not a refugee. Never · Not the correct word. The correct word is human · We may not have a home, but we are from the world and we are all human · Don’t give up and be confident in yourself · A normal person who gives smiles and hope to the world · Proud because I became stronger from the war. But no one likes to be called refugee · Go search World War 1 and World War 2, when Europeans were the refugees · We are Syrian but we have humanity, and I don’t need to look down on us. I am really proud of Lighthouse organization because they are really doing a great job · If I respect myself the world will respect me · Despite war, we are stronger than ever · Refugees are humans but without a homeland · People who must immigrate in order to save their lives · We’re only human. Don’t judge anyone based on the colour of his skin or what he wears. We are all human · Where is the humanity? I’m not only a refugee. I am human · I had a lot of dreams but I lost half in this abstract place of humanity. I dreamed of studying and a normal life. But despite all these bad conditions, I still want to reach my goal. Will I be an ambitious young man or a refugee in your opinion? · There is no such thing as an illegal human · Because of politics, some people call us refugees. We are not refugees, we are human beings like you · I know I’m a refugee, but I don’t want anyone to call me refugee. I fled because Syria has war · It’s not bad to be a refugee, except when the word is used with negativity · Unfair, because there is no equality.
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Farhad Rashid Age 21 From Syria
Going through life, each of us has to face some challenges and also gets to enjoy some good times. Sometimes, we need someone to be there for us. At other times, someone needs us to be there for them. Life is based on solidarity, where members of a society care for each other. When I see goodhearted people rise up to help those in need, whether it is because of wars or natural disasters, I get a strong sense of love and hope. Our own lives are significantly enriched when we live to help others. The more we feel for others, the more we feel alive and find a deeper meaning to our brief existence. This existence that we have to live through as it is. And as humans, we exist for each other. I would like to thank all those who help us, the refugees, all over the world and all those who try to make the world a better place to live in.
by Saman
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There was music, dancing, food, lights and decorations. It went on long into the night, and guests had a good time.
"I think this is very important, because I want everybody in Europe to know that here in Ritsona we are against what happened in Barcelona, we are against terrorism. I want to show people that we came in peace. We are coming to Europe to live, because we fled from terrorists. And terrorists did the same thing in our country. It doesn’t matter where they are from and where they live. They are just terrorists. Terrorists do not come from Syria, from the Middle East. There are racist people and terrorists from everywhere. " Farhad Rashid "I wanted to send my condolences to the Spanish people, we know how they feel because we had a lot of attacks in Syria. Some people in Europe think we are terrorists and killers, but we wanted to send a message that we are not terrorists, and in fact we escaped terrorists to save our lives. I love Spanish people very much, they have a big heart. I want to tell them that we are all humans, and we stand with you. " Hamza Almustafa
Vigil in Ritsona after the Barcelona attack
Amina Rashid Age 19 From Syria
This was the first wedding in Ritsona...
...everyone in camp came. It was a traditional Kurdish wedding.
Wedding in Ritsona
I have been living in Ritsona for more than a year and a half
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by Mustafa Shabo
Goodbye is too difficult
I will be leaving very soon
Nature Ivan Mohamed
How long were you in Greece for? 8 months Why did you choose this smuggling route from Greece to Germany? And why didn't you go through international organizations or the EU instead? Because I left my country, Syria, to have a better life and a better future. Everyone knows that the chances of working and studying in Greece are not as good as in the rest of the EU. And yes, I used the smuggling route instead of the UN offices because I waited for 8 months and I did not want to wait any longer. And I knew that the government will not give me the life I am fighting for. What would your situation be if you did not resort to smuggling? Every person has a goal in life. I aim to reach the path of stability and live normal life. If I did not get out of Greece I would miss my goals and hopes for life, and my life would go from bad to worse. What was your feeling when you arrived in Germany? It was not a feeling of stability or comfort, because I was at the beginning of the road, but it was still the coolest feeling of all. When I was in the airport, waiting to try to be smuggled, I felt lost and afraid, but I overcame these feelings and did not let it stop me. I thought waiting was the only thing I could do. But I succeeded and overcame all that noise inside of me and did not let fear hold me back. I’m now in the place where I imagined myself. And, most important of all, I have a feeling of belonging now that I am with my family after years of separation. How do you see yourself after several years in Germany? I’m a very optimistic person and my smile does not leave me. In any position I am exposed to, I’m sure I am able to do anything I want. Now I’m trying to discover myself in a vibrant society. And as I always say, we must be humble and simple in everything and remember that there is nothing impossible in this world. Everything can be done when we really want to do it. Also, do not wish to be happy. Just be happy. I have message for people who seek to be smuggled like me. Make sure that you don't expose yourself to this dangerous route if it's not necessary. Everyone just wants to reunite with their families, with our families. We want to reach our destination and our goals, what we risked our souls and the souls of our families for. Interview conducted by Malak
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After Ritsona
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Art by Mahmoud
Searching for freedom in Syria
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After Ritsona Anonymous
Music is Life
I am in Italy. Finally we have left or passed through a third country: the first was Iran, the second Turkey and the third Greece. Each with many problems. But I am not sad, because these problems made me strong and thoughtful, and I am happy that I left. I met many good, normal and bad people. I liked and like the good ones I will forget the bad, but I must learn from them. I look like some of them, I did some good things and some bad. Maybe some people that I met don't like me and I am sorry, very very sorry... I am learning new things, especially languages. I really like to speak in many languages, and send a warm hello and special thanks to everyone who taught and is teaching me languages and other new things. Ritsona was a big school for me. I met new people, especially volunteers from I AM YOU, Lighthouse and Echo100+. You're the best, I wish you a great life. Dear refugees, it was very good to meet you, keep on your way and believe in yourselves.. As for life, I like it. It's difficult but DON'T GIVE UP, continue, try and try and try again... I wish all good things to everyone
George Georges, age 22, from Syria
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by Zanyar
In July 2017, Echo+100 hosted Ritsona’s Got Talent to showcase the many talents within camp. Acts included a magic show, break dancing, a guitar ensemble, vocal performances, and salsa and Arabic dancing. It was a fun evening and many people came out to enjoy the performances and be entertained.
by Amar
Malak Othman Age 18 From Syria
...art continued
Half of the Population The whole world is writing about the freedom of women and about women's rights. They write about the greatness of women as mothers, wives, daughters. Society demands women’s rights, they say that women have to be free, but they don’t really mean it. Nothing has changed for the past 100 years. Maybe people are trying to change their minds, but still it is the same. Freedom for women is not just being able to do what they want, whenever they want, and with whomever they want. Freedom is when a woman is doing these things, living in the way that she wants, and people do not look at her like she is a woman and expect her to be traditional and to be careful. In reality, women are free, but they must still be cautious. Women are more than just a body and just a heart. This time, we will not label women. I will not say that women are half of the population. I will not compare them to something, just to try to make them beautiful in your eyes. I say women are women. Just this. They are power and weakness. They are both the disease and the medicine for themselves. I will not say “women are everything”, “women are the world”. Because inside each woman, there is her own unique world.
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Ritsona’s Got Talent
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Refugee Some people think refugees are stupid and poor and can’t do anything for themselves, and that they are weak and backward. But in all the world there are different people. Look at your fingers. Are your fingers the same? In each country you will find bad people, good people, people who travel. But in Syria, our country, there is a war, and people want to save their lives. It is natural. And these people trying to save their lives, they are called refugees. But what is a refugee? Refugees are normal people. In my opinion, there is no difference between colours or religions – we are all human. Refugees are not killers: they invent, they build, they think. And if you think negatively about refugees, come and meet us. Know us and what we do. You will discover that we are normal people. But half the world doesn’t like us. Why? Do we look like killers? Look at our faces, at our pictures. Think about the things we want. We don’t like it when people call us refugees. When I go to school, the other students think: ‘look at him, he is so poor – he is a refugee’. But we have brains, we have the ability to build our own lives. But give us our human rights. Our dream is to have a simple life, to have a job, go to school, to university, to go to a doctor when we need to – that is all. If powerful countries spent the money they spend on war on poor people, the world would be amazing. And I believe that one day we will be safe, wars will stop. And to all presidents of powerful countries, especially Donald Trump: if you don’t want people to come to your countries, stop bombing the Middle East, stop making war, stop killing children. A lot of mothers, children and families are crying because of you. Don’t you have a heart? And I promise the people, one day we will be safe. We will light candles. We will not cry anymore. We are going to build. We are going to do. And all the people will be brothers and sisters. There will be no difference between colours and religions. There will be no more weapons. There will be love, hugs and kisses. Hamza Almustafa, age 16, from Syria
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WORKSHOPS
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drop in
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JUST CHILL
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MURALS