Photovoice 2024: Picturing Your Dream
What if you could visualize your dream and capture it in a moment? For 7th graders at TYO this summer, this idea became a reality through the “Picturing Your Dream” project. Equipped with new skills in photography, these youth transformed their aspirations into powerful visual stories and were inspired to see their futures through a more hopeful lens.
This summer, 7th grade students at TYO, engaged in a PhotoVoice project, called “Picturing Your Dream”. The goal was to empower them to tell their own stories and express their dreams and aspirations creatively.
This initiative was an extension of the PhotoVoice Pilot Project implemented in summer 2022 by international intern Sarah G. at the time. By equipping children with new photography skills, she encouraged them to think critically about the problems faced in their communities, as well as ideas for actions and solutions.
Sarah’s project laid the groundwork for future initiatives in PhotoVoice at TYO. Following its success, we had the opportunity to implement it once again, this time in collaboration with Jabal Al-Nar Club as part of the Steps Program – through which three local interns have worked across various programs at TYO, offering their skills and gaining professional experience. Rafah, Youssef, and Anwar’s participation in this year’s PhotoVoice project was instrumental, as they supported all stages, contributing to, once again, a successful initiative.
“Picturing Your Dream” expanded the concept of the pilot project to focus on helping youth visualize their goals and dreams. “It helped them share feelings and ideas that are often hard to put into words. Especially nowadays, as they witness so much violence and suffering, it allowed them to have a more positive outlook,” Ahmad Al Khateeb, TYO’s Volunteer Coordinator and co-leader of the project.
“Students in 7th grade are at that age of focusing on themselves and striving for independence. They prefer to find solutions on their own, and they have a strong will to make justice, to advocate for what they believe to be important issues. They are exploring their identities and eager to also explore the world around them,” 7th grade teacher Iman Qartallo explained. “Because of that, PhotoVoice is such a powerful tool to youth in Palestine – for they are encouraged to dream beyond their often-constrained realities.”
The main goal of “Picturing Your Dream” was to support students to express themselves, to boost their self-confidence, and to help them visualize their aspirations and dreams more tangibly, as well as imagine a better future. The project sought to inspire children to dream, by honing their creativity and providing them with a safe and supportive environment to self-expression. Besides, it fostered community participation and understanding, as students came from different refugee camps and neighborhoods in Nablus, each carrying a different background and perspective.
Ayoub, 7th grader, practicing his photography skills.
First, students were introduced to the idea of the project and asked to share their dreams and goals, whether related to professional or personal achievements. Some of them were unsure about their dreams or didn't feel comfortable talking about them in front of others. “So we began by sharing our own, and quickly everyone was motivated to join in the discussion,” Ahmad recalled.
Then, students were instructed to think how to visually represent their aspirations: the settings, the objects and the symbols that would best express them. “This was a challenging part: translating abstract feelings into visual representations,” Ahmad said. So a workshop on the basics of photography was carried out, and students learned what to pay attention to in an image, and how to make the photos clearer and more impactful. They practiced, taking pictures around our center, experimenting with different angles, lighting and composition, and received guidance throughout to help them improve their skills and the quality of their photos. As they did, their excitement grew, along with their creativity.
They learned that they could use photography to express themselves in ways they hadn’t imagined before: “When I started taking pictures, I didn’t know I could do it. I was surprised by my ability. Now, I want to save enough money to buy a camera,” Ayoub, one of the 7th graders who discovered a new passion.
Finally, they were ready to capture images that represented their dreams. “My direction to them was: use the camera as if it could make your dream come true, as if the photograph is a representation of reality,” Ahmad explained. Not only did they understand the assignment, they went beyond: noticing similarities between each other, a group of students from different neighborhoods worked together to create a series that showcased their shared experiences. “It was unexpected. And a lesson for me on the potential that youth hold to come together in community and create a better future for themselves,” Ahmad reflected about this collaboration.
The project ended with an exhibition on the last day of the Summer Program. It was a celebration of the students’ creativity and hard work. The best images – those that best represented their dreams and aspirations – were chosen, and the gallery was carefully arranged, giving each student space to display and discuss their work.
Visitors were given souvenir cards containing motivational phrases, which they hung on the boards around the exhibition. They interacted with the students, listening to their stories and asking questions. The exhibition gave students a platform to be recognized and appreciated for their work, and to be supported by other community members to reach for their goals.
The students' impressions changed from uncertainty and insecurity to a strong sense of pride and achievement. “It is not that they were simply hesitant to share their dreams or didn't know how to put it into words. Some students thought their dreams weren't important, impossible to achieve,” Ahmad reflected on how the 7th graders reacted when the project was first introduced to them.
But as they got more involved, students' understanding of their goals and their identity changed in important ways. If their ideas were a bit vague in the beginning, they learned to better define and articulate them. Having to photograph their dreams, students began to see them as more achievable. Having to present and talk about their dreams to others, they were encouraged to think realistically about the steps they can take to reach for them.
“This experience not only improved their creative skills but also strengthened their hope in their futures, making them feel more confident and motivated to achieve their goals,” Iman shared about the impact of “Picturing Your Dream” on the students' social-emotional skills.
Rayan, one of the 7th graders, dreams of traveling to Dubai and visiting Burj Khalifa. When he shared with the class, he felt overwhelmed and doubted this could really happen. But as he worked on capturing his dream through photography, he became more hopeful, confident and excited about it. “I feel my dream is closer now. Seeing it in a picture makes it seem more real,” he said at the end of the exhibition and the words of encouragement he heard from his peers.
Rayan, 7th grade, showcasing his work to Ms. Lama during the exhibition.
Ms. Iman, TYO volunteers, local interns, and our young photographers and dreamers.
“Picturing Your Dream” equipped students with new skills and also helped spark new passions and a sense of purpose. “At first, my dream was just to be an engineer, but I discovered I also have a passion for photography. Most of the pictures in the exhibition are mine, and I’m very proud of that,” Ayoub said excitedly as he got ready for showcasing his work.
Overall, PhotoVoice projects have illustrated TYO’s commitment to empowering youth through self-expression and creative exploration, building resilience and equipping them with tools to advocate for and create a better future for themselves and their communities.
“Looking ahead, I’m excited about the possibility of expanding this project. We could explore more topics that are hard for children and adolescents to express verbally but can be beautifully shown through photography. Who knows, maybe this initiative could grow into one of the main programs at TYO, helping even more young people visualize and pursue their dreams,” Ahmad.
Want to know more about our 2022 PhotoVoice Project? Check the links below: