In January, WANN published six stories and two short documentaries. It also held one activity, began recruitment for its 17th cohort of young writers, and launched the start of a WANN program in Lebanon.
Stories
January 2, 2023 | Alia Kassab | There are worlds in words. I want to know: what are the reaches and boundaries of language?
From Gaza to Tunisia: Grief is all the same
January 8, 2023 | Majd Salem | Our sons are being thrown into the sea and the fish are eating them.
Who will pay for the 20 years we lost?
January 15, 2023 | Yousef Maher Dawas | My family will replace the trees destroyed by Israeli missiles, but we cannot reclaim the years spent nurturing them.
January 16, 2023 | Ghada Hania | The Israeli occupation spoiled a joyous day on which a family expected to be reunified with its beloved patriarch.
January 17, 2023 | Ghada Hania | I love life in Gaza, despite the immense misery inflicted by the Israeli occupation.
When loved ones leave the prison that is Gaza
January 18, 2023 | Zena Abu Alouf | My brother emigrated from Gaza for a better life. It left me feeling abandoned.
Activities
WANN celebrates the graduation of its 16th cohort of writers
WANN celebrated the graduation of 35 young Palestinian writers from the Gaza Strip and other locations around the world. The project implements two recruitments a year and provides participants with six months of training about human rights, basic writing skills, creative writing, debating, and addressing Western audiences.
WANN opens a new application window to join its 17th cohort
WANN opened a new recruitment window for writers in the Palestinian Territories, and we received 190 applications. A shortlist of candidates will be interviewed, and up to 20 people will be selected for membership in WANN’s 17th cohort of writers. Training will begin in March.
Breast Cancer in Gaza film
One of the most common threats facing women in Palestinian society in Gaza is breast cancer. In partnership with Amos Trust, our partner in the United Kingdom, WANN produced a film documenting the difficult psychological conditions for women in Gaza who are diagnosed with breast cancer. Such women face extra stress due to their challenging circumstances seeking treatment in a land that is under-resourced due to siege, occupation, and bombardment.
Effect of the siege on water desalination plants in Gaza
“More than 2 million live in the Gaza Strip, but only 10% have access to clean drinking water.”
In partnership with Hashim Sani for Palestine Studies, WANN produced a film documenting the impact of the Israeli siege on water desalination plants in Gaza and its impact on people living there.
What’s new?
WANN is open for new writers to join Cohort 2023 in Lebanon. We will select 20 writers from different Lebanese cities. Their training will parallel that offered to the WANN cohort in the Palestinian Territories.
Who wrote this?
This activity report was prepared by Hadil Wadi, who is a WANN trainee. She is a senior student studying English-French and literature and recently graduated in multimedia. She is also a freelancer in translation and motion graphics design. Her background in multimedia and literature showcases her passion for combining technology with artistic expression, allowing her to bring a deeper level of meaning and emotion to her work. She has a strong interest in women’s rights and gender equality. She is passionate about cinema, theater, music, and literature. This passion reflects her beliefs in art and its power to evoke emotions and tell stories.
