Two years ago Save the Children began to teach some of the children living in Zaatari, a refugee camp in Jordan, photography skills.
The charity wanted the teenagers to be able to create a reflection of how they saw their home - not how outsiders saw it.
The Zaatari camp, which was founded in July 2012 as a temporary home for 100 families, now has nearly 80,000 "persons of concern" residing there, according to UN statistics - which are by no means accurate.
Life inside Zaatari is harsh; residents have described the camp as "dangerous", "cramped", and with a high rates of sexual violence and rape.
However, as STC's photography project My Own Account has shown, there are glimpses of children living normal lives, and finding laughter in a destitute place.
The children, who were taught their skills by Magnum photographer Michael Christopher Brown, are having their photographs posted on Instagram, as well as in a book - created by advertising agency Mother.
Editor's note: The quotes alongside the images don't necessarily correlate with the photographs. They are quotes by some of the teenagers involved in the project.
Pictures from inside Syrian refugee camp Zaatari (list)
(01 of15)
Our days in Syria were normal: going to school, staying at home cleaning or looking after our siblings. My father was the first one to leave. I went with him. He wanted to see how life would be in Jordan. Then my mother and my sister joined. I have 7 brothers and 4 sisters but beside (my sister) Marah and I, all are married. They stayed in Syria.
When we arrived in Za’atari, we were told that we could go to school. My father insisted as he told us that it would be a long time before we could go back to Syria. It was difficult at the beginning. Life had changed so much. Then we met other girls and started to visit people, to ‘go out’.
I started the photography classes after my sister had already joined. I was very jealous.
She was taking pictures, and the neighbours were saying that she was going to become a journalist while I was seen as being the ‘house’ girl.
“Taking pictures defines my personality. It is a way to become important in people’s eyes and in my own eyes.” When taking pictures, I am proud and I feel safe. Before, I did not even know the word photography and would have never dreamed about becoming a photographer.
I want to become an important person in the future and travel the world, using photography to change the world - Alaa (credit:@insidezaatari/Save the Children)
When we arrived in Za’atari, we were told that we could go to school. My father insisted as he told us that it would be a long time before we could go back to Syria. It was difficult at the beginning. Life had changed so much. Then we met other girls and started to visit people, to ‘go out’.
I started the photography classes after my sister had already joined. I was very jealous.
She was taking pictures, and the neighbours were saying that she was going to become a journalist while I was seen as being the ‘house’ girl.
“Taking pictures defines my personality. It is a way to become important in people’s eyes and in my own eyes.” When taking pictures, I am proud and I feel safe. Before, I did not even know the word photography and would have never dreamed about becoming a photographer.
I want to become an important person in the future and travel the world, using photography to change the world - Alaa (credit:@insidezaatari/Save the Children)
(02 of15)
I had a beautiful life in Syria. I was going to school. On my way to school, I would often stop at my grandfather’s house to steal some lemons from his garden. It was really fun even if it did not make him happy.
At school, we were a group of friends and we would do everything together, the good and the bad. I did not like to study much; books were not really part of my life.
We decided to leave Jordan when my mother got hurt. It was a difficult case and she needed special treatment. I was in shock when I was told. I screamed and cried a lot.
We left altogether with one bag each. Mine contained some souvenirs from my friend and some clothes but I lost it on the way. All my memories were gone.
When I arrived in the camp, I felt safe again: no more bombs.
When I joined the Multi Activity Centre, it had been opened for a month. I started photography. It was something completely new for me and I was excited. It made me feel far more self-confident and gave me something to be proud of.
Asking strangers to take pictures was a bit of a challenge and I enjoyed it. My mother was often telling me that I was rude to people but I continued.
Because I am a girl, people used to tell me that I would never do as well as the boys. “Photography is difficult, even the guys cannot do it! Why do you pretend!” Now, everyone is asking me to take their picture. - Bayan (credit:@insidezaatari/Save the Children)
At school, we were a group of friends and we would do everything together, the good and the bad. I did not like to study much; books were not really part of my life.
We decided to leave Jordan when my mother got hurt. It was a difficult case and she needed special treatment. I was in shock when I was told. I screamed and cried a lot.
We left altogether with one bag each. Mine contained some souvenirs from my friend and some clothes but I lost it on the way. All my memories were gone.
When I arrived in the camp, I felt safe again: no more bombs.
When I joined the Multi Activity Centre, it had been opened for a month. I started photography. It was something completely new for me and I was excited. It made me feel far more self-confident and gave me something to be proud of.
Asking strangers to take pictures was a bit of a challenge and I enjoyed it. My mother was often telling me that I was rude to people but I continued.
Because I am a girl, people used to tell me that I would never do as well as the boys. “Photography is difficult, even the guys cannot do it! Why do you pretend!” Now, everyone is asking me to take their picture. - Bayan (credit:@insidezaatari/Save the Children)
(03 of15)
In Syria, I was going to school and working with my family during the tomato season. I hated working at the farm and I had very little time to see my friends. I was also drawing, everything I saw.
Life became more difficult. The shelling intensified and people were killed. My father decided that we had to leave. I did not know what to think: on one side, I was sad because I was leaving my country, on the other side, I was happy because we were leaving the war behind and we were going to a safe place.
We left by car quickly and on the way, I realized that I had forgotten to take my drawing book and my pencils. But as I thought we would be back soon, I did not worry too much.
When we arrived in the camp, I was expecting to see houses and not tents. At night, we were afraid because we could hear people walking around and we thought they would attack us.
Then, I started to go to school, to go to the centre and to attend photography classes. To look at pictures is always very exciting because we can see the diversity of styles.
The photographs triggered also a lot of interesting discussions. The ‘Inside Za’atari’ project was fun. I learned how to use my camera better, to take more spontaneous pictures. Everybody around me was always very excited because someone was taking pictures of them - Hadeel (credit:@insidezaatari/Save the Children)
Life became more difficult. The shelling intensified and people were killed. My father decided that we had to leave. I did not know what to think: on one side, I was sad because I was leaving my country, on the other side, I was happy because we were leaving the war behind and we were going to a safe place.
We left by car quickly and on the way, I realized that I had forgotten to take my drawing book and my pencils. But as I thought we would be back soon, I did not worry too much.
When we arrived in the camp, I was expecting to see houses and not tents. At night, we were afraid because we could hear people walking around and we thought they would attack us.
Then, I started to go to school, to go to the centre and to attend photography classes. To look at pictures is always very exciting because we can see the diversity of styles.
The photographs triggered also a lot of interesting discussions. The ‘Inside Za’atari’ project was fun. I learned how to use my camera better, to take more spontaneous pictures. Everybody around me was always very excited because someone was taking pictures of them - Hadeel (credit:@insidezaatari/Save the Children)
(04 of15)
I had a lot of friends in Syria. We were always outside playing football. We used to eat together, to wear the same clothes. We were going to school together and we were all in the same class. Because of problems with the teacher, we all stopped going to school, at the same time. Then, I start to work with my father. He was a construction contractor.
We decided to leave Syria when two bombs exploded next to our house. Nobody was hurt but we were very scared. I was very afraid to die. I did not know where we were going. I wanted to go back to Syria as soon as we arrived in the camp. When we got out of the bus that took us to the camp, I saw a lot of people covered with dust and that was frightening.
At the beginning of my life in the camp, I would just spend my day sitting in the tent. Then I started to go out, meet people and to make friends. I joined the Multi Activity Centre soon and the photography classes. I wanted to become a photographer. I had never done photography in Syria; there were no classes.
Photography changed everything. When I started to photograph people, I made new friends. They enjoyed that I was taking pictures of them. The boys at the MAC let me play with them because they knew I was going to take pictures of them. Photography also changed my point of view about life.
When I look through the lens, I focus on details. I have started to see things I did not see before. The world became more interesting.- Jamal (credit:@insidezaatari/Save the Children)
We decided to leave Syria when two bombs exploded next to our house. Nobody was hurt but we were very scared. I was very afraid to die. I did not know where we were going. I wanted to go back to Syria as soon as we arrived in the camp. When we got out of the bus that took us to the camp, I saw a lot of people covered with dust and that was frightening.
At the beginning of my life in the camp, I would just spend my day sitting in the tent. Then I started to go out, meet people and to make friends. I joined the Multi Activity Centre soon and the photography classes. I wanted to become a photographer. I had never done photography in Syria; there were no classes.
Photography changed everything. When I started to photograph people, I made new friends. They enjoyed that I was taking pictures of them. The boys at the MAC let me play with them because they knew I was going to take pictures of them. Photography also changed my point of view about life.
When I look through the lens, I focus on details. I have started to see things I did not see before. The world became more interesting.- Jamal (credit:@insidezaatari/Save the Children)
(05 of15)
I arrived in the camp from Syria in January 2013, with my mother, father, four sisters, three brothers and my grandmother. We left Syria because we feared for our life. Our village was bombed.
The journey to Za’atari was hard; it was so cold. We started by car and then we had to walk so none could see us. My brothers and sisters were very young. Each of them was carrying some clothes. We spent two entire days walking to the border without sleep.
We arrived in the camp on the third day of our walk. The only thing we wanted was to sleep, even if we were hungry, thirsty and filthy. We just laid down and slept.
Then the real adventure started. For me, leaving Syria and arriving in the camp was something that changed my life for ever. I felt very lonely at first, then I started to meet people and met many friends.
In Syria, I was a weak girl. I could not express myself freely because I am a girl. I did not even know how to talk, face a problem and deal with it. My life was totally in my family’s hands. I left school before leaving Syria and I was afraid to have to get married straight away. Here, even if I am not going to school, I can have a dream. I have changed a lot and learned a lot.
Photography was for me the first step of my adventure in changing my life. I did not know that I was able to take pictures before.
Taking pictures taught me to express myself. I thought of myself as being a messenger, that my pictures were messages from Za’atari to the outside world. I have grown in confidence. At first, I was afraid but then people encouraged me and I changed. I believed I could do it.
I miss my cousins and friends from Syria but I hope that one day, I will be able to become a journalist. - Khalidiye (credit:@insidezaatari/Save the Children)
The journey to Za’atari was hard; it was so cold. We started by car and then we had to walk so none could see us. My brothers and sisters were very young. Each of them was carrying some clothes. We spent two entire days walking to the border without sleep.
We arrived in the camp on the third day of our walk. The only thing we wanted was to sleep, even if we were hungry, thirsty and filthy. We just laid down and slept.
Then the real adventure started. For me, leaving Syria and arriving in the camp was something that changed my life for ever. I felt very lonely at first, then I started to meet people and met many friends.
In Syria, I was a weak girl. I could not express myself freely because I am a girl. I did not even know how to talk, face a problem and deal with it. My life was totally in my family’s hands. I left school before leaving Syria and I was afraid to have to get married straight away. Here, even if I am not going to school, I can have a dream. I have changed a lot and learned a lot.
Photography was for me the first step of my adventure in changing my life. I did not know that I was able to take pictures before.
Taking pictures taught me to express myself. I thought of myself as being a messenger, that my pictures were messages from Za’atari to the outside world. I have grown in confidence. At first, I was afraid but then people encouraged me and I changed. I believed I could do it.
I miss my cousins and friends from Syria but I hope that one day, I will be able to become a journalist. - Khalidiye (credit:@insidezaatari/Save the Children)
(06 of15)
I arrived in Za’atari in January 2013 along with my mother, my two brothers and three sisters. My father died a long time ago.
We came with a small bus and took with us the minimum as we thought we would be back after a week. To take the bus we first stayed in an abandon house for a day or two. Then we travelled to the border by car and on foot.
When in Za’atari, we were given a tent. Our neighbours in Syria were already in the camp. We put our tent beside theirs. At the beginning, it was difficult, living in a camp, the weather. It was so cold, so arid. We were lucky at some point to be able to change our tent for a caravan. That was a big improvement.
I first went to the Multi Activity Centre to learn how to dance Depke. Then the photography classes started. Photography changed me. I felt it was a skill I really needed to learn that could be useful. It not only made me meet new people but also to get recognition from people. It transformed me to be a more open person.
Since I am in the camp, I am looking at life in a different way. I am more able to cope, more mature. I wish to be able to go back to Syria and become a famous photographer. Travelling to Europe also would be great as I could meet other photographers. - Mohamed (credit:@insidezaatari/Save the Children)
We came with a small bus and took with us the minimum as we thought we would be back after a week. To take the bus we first stayed in an abandon house for a day or two. Then we travelled to the border by car and on foot.
When in Za’atari, we were given a tent. Our neighbours in Syria were already in the camp. We put our tent beside theirs. At the beginning, it was difficult, living in a camp, the weather. It was so cold, so arid. We were lucky at some point to be able to change our tent for a caravan. That was a big improvement.
I first went to the Multi Activity Centre to learn how to dance Depke. Then the photography classes started. Photography changed me. I felt it was a skill I really needed to learn that could be useful. It not only made me meet new people but also to get recognition from people. It transformed me to be a more open person.
Since I am in the camp, I am looking at life in a different way. I am more able to cope, more mature. I wish to be able to go back to Syria and become a famous photographer. Travelling to Europe also would be great as I could meet other photographers. - Mohamed (credit:@insidezaatari/Save the Children)
(07 of15)
Syria was our home, my home and it is never going to be the same again. There was the school, the family, and my friends. And then, suddenly, we had to leave.
Everyone around us was talking about Za’atari but it seemed something unreal, not for us. And then, it happened. We stayed at the border for three months so I started to adapt even before arriving in the camp.
I felt lonely because I had no friends. I did not like to be in the camp at all. We had to carry water; I hated the public bathrooms. Then, even if I did not like to fetch water, I would often volunteer because it was a way to meet people. It helped me to accept this new life.
When I heard about the photography classes, I thought that someone wanted to take pictures of us. It was a completely new thing for me and I was afraid. It seemed so complicated; we had to make so many choices. Everyone in my neighbourhood started to ask for pictures. It helped me a lot. They envied me.
Photography encouraged me to learn something new, to go towards people I did not know. My mother told us that this life was new. Photography has offered me the way to build it.
I do not dream to become a professional photographer but photography has taught me to see things in a completely different way, to look at my life in a different way. And an excuse: when I fight with my family, I always have a good reason to go out: I have to take pictures. - Marah (credit:@insidezaatari/Save the Children)
Everyone around us was talking about Za’atari but it seemed something unreal, not for us. And then, it happened. We stayed at the border for three months so I started to adapt even before arriving in the camp.
I felt lonely because I had no friends. I did not like to be in the camp at all. We had to carry water; I hated the public bathrooms. Then, even if I did not like to fetch water, I would often volunteer because it was a way to meet people. It helped me to accept this new life.
When I heard about the photography classes, I thought that someone wanted to take pictures of us. It was a completely new thing for me and I was afraid. It seemed so complicated; we had to make so many choices. Everyone in my neighbourhood started to ask for pictures. It helped me a lot. They envied me.
Photography encouraged me to learn something new, to go towards people I did not know. My mother told us that this life was new. Photography has offered me the way to build it.
I do not dream to become a professional photographer but photography has taught me to see things in a completely different way, to look at my life in a different way. And an excuse: when I fight with my family, I always have a good reason to go out: I have to take pictures. - Marah (credit:@insidezaatari/Save the Children)
(08 of15)
Life in Syria was good. I was going to school. I had plenty of friends. My family and I used to go on picnics, swim in lakes and rivers. When the war started, all changed. We were afraid all the time and would avoid going out of the house. We could not handle this situation any more so we decided to leave.
We only took small things from our house as we thought we were going to come back after one month. There were a lot of people on the road and it was long. I had a book with me and was reading while travelling by car to the border. I never finished it as I lost it while we were waiting to get registered when we arrived at the camp. We had to wait two weeks before we got what we needed to start this new life. There were so many people. My uncle and his family arrived before us in Za’atari. We stayed with them the first two weeks.
The first few months were tough: no more houses, no more friends, and no more school. I enjoy reading and studying. All that had come to an end. I love reading science books and whenever I can I go to the library of the camp. I am learning English thanks to the books I read.
I had to adapt to this new life, no question. I had a goal in my life: to complete my education, to finish studying and that kept me going as I could go to school in the camp.
A friend told me about the photography classes. Back in Syria, I used to see on TV the work of well-known photographers and always wished to be like them. So I joined.
Because of photography, I started to see the world in pictures. I realized that I had to take pictures of what I was seeing, to remember, to be able to live that moment again. I really enjoyed the project ‘Inside Za’atari’ and I enjoyed it even more now because of the exhibition and the book. Before the project, I would take portraits without paying much attention but now I am far more into it.
Taking a portrait is like spending some time with the person, learning something about him or her, connecting. - Qaïs (credit:@insidezaatari/Save the Children)
(09 of15)
I am from Dera’a. We came to Za’atari in January 2013. I did not want to leave Syria but the shelling was getting stronger and stronger so we decided to go. Before going to the camp, we stayed in Amman for six months. All my cousins were in the camp as well as our friends, so we moved to the camp.
The first challenge was to get registered. There were at least 1,000 people waiting to do the same, outside of UNHCR office. It was cold and we had to wait for a long time. I became very frustrated and wanted to leave but I had all the papers for my family, I could not. I was responsible for all of them, being the elder son and my father not being with us.
Living in the camp was a big challenge. Life was changing drastically. When in Syria, I used to get everything I wanted easily. I used to drive cars, which I really enjoyed. Since I have been in the camp, all that has changed: no more cars to drive, getting the things I want is far more difficult.
Photography has become something important in my life. Now, when I wake up in the morning, I think that I have something positive to do: taking pictures. It has also allowed me to imagine my future. - Yunis (credit:@insidezaatari/Save the Children)
The first challenge was to get registered. There were at least 1,000 people waiting to do the same, outside of UNHCR office. It was cold and we had to wait for a long time. I became very frustrated and wanted to leave but I had all the papers for my family, I could not. I was responsible for all of them, being the elder son and my father not being with us.
Living in the camp was a big challenge. Life was changing drastically. When in Syria, I used to get everything I wanted easily. I used to drive cars, which I really enjoyed. Since I have been in the camp, all that has changed: no more cars to drive, getting the things I want is far more difficult.
Photography has become something important in my life. Now, when I wake up in the morning, I think that I have something positive to do: taking pictures. It has also allowed me to imagine my future. - Yunis (credit:@insidezaatari/Save the Children)
(10 of15)
I was a ‘home’ girl in Syria. I was not going to school. I was not a good student and my parents thought there was no reason for me to continue studying. I did not go out, had very few friends and no social life. I was very lonely. I liked to write though. I would write in the morning when I woke up and again at night when going to bed. It was like a journal.
When my mother told us that we were leaving Syria to go to Za’atari, I thought she was joking. We thought Za’atari was a very bad place, full of snakes and scorpions. When we left, I forgot all the things that were important to me: my rings, my earrings, my necklaces, the gift I had received for my birthday, and my journal.
The journey to Jordan was difficult. I was trying to pretend that I was happy but inside, I was desperate. I was smiling but sad because one of my brothers and one of my sisters were staying. When we arrived in the camp, I thought it was a very difficult place where we would lead a very difficult life but I said nothing. I kept on smiling. I was missing everything that I had in Syria.
While in the camp, I started to do the same thing I was doing in Syria, cleaning the caravan, doing the laundry. But then my parents asked me if I wanted to go to the Multi Activity Centre and they took me there. I was surprised to find so many educational activities. I first registered for the beauty classes, then for the photography classes. “I swear to God, when I started the classes, I promised to myself that my life would change.”
Learning photography has changed me. I was weak before. Now I feel stronger and happier. Before, I was not aware of the problems there were in the camp. I am more conscious of them now because I look carefully but at the same time it helps to distance myself from them. Photography made me feel unique. I really wish to become a journalist, when we go back to Syria - Nariman (credit:@insidezaatari/Save the Children)
When my mother told us that we were leaving Syria to go to Za’atari, I thought she was joking. We thought Za’atari was a very bad place, full of snakes and scorpions. When we left, I forgot all the things that were important to me: my rings, my earrings, my necklaces, the gift I had received for my birthday, and my journal.
The journey to Jordan was difficult. I was trying to pretend that I was happy but inside, I was desperate. I was smiling but sad because one of my brothers and one of my sisters were staying. When we arrived in the camp, I thought it was a very difficult place where we would lead a very difficult life but I said nothing. I kept on smiling. I was missing everything that I had in Syria.
While in the camp, I started to do the same thing I was doing in Syria, cleaning the caravan, doing the laundry. But then my parents asked me if I wanted to go to the Multi Activity Centre and they took me there. I was surprised to find so many educational activities. I first registered for the beauty classes, then for the photography classes. “I swear to God, when I started the classes, I promised to myself that my life would change.”
Learning photography has changed me. I was weak before. Now I feel stronger and happier. Before, I was not aware of the problems there were in the camp. I am more conscious of them now because I look carefully but at the same time it helps to distance myself from them. Photography made me feel unique. I really wish to become a journalist, when we go back to Syria - Nariman (credit:@insidezaatari/Save the Children)
(11 of15)
We did not expect to have to leave Syria. I was so happy there. School, playing football with my nieces and cousins, meeting my friends. I did not want to leave, I was so sad.
We left in a hurry from my grandfather’s house and had no time to go back to our house to take some clothes. I brought nothing with me from Syria, only what I was wearing.
Living in a tent was difficult. We could have seen it as a camping trip, but it became too long to be only a camping trip. At first, we hoped to be able to go back, now no.
Going to the Multi Activity Centre helped me a lot to accept the new situation. The photography classes helped a lot. When I was in Syria, I was sometimes pretending that
I was making movies. Through the ‘Inside Za’atari’ project, I learned how to get close to people. - Rihab (credit:@insidezaatari/Save the Children)
We left in a hurry from my grandfather’s house and had no time to go back to our house to take some clothes. I brought nothing with me from Syria, only what I was wearing.
Living in a tent was difficult. We could have seen it as a camping trip, but it became too long to be only a camping trip. At first, we hoped to be able to go back, now no.
Going to the Multi Activity Centre helped me a lot to accept the new situation. The photography classes helped a lot. When I was in Syria, I was sometimes pretending that
I was making movies. Through the ‘Inside Za’atari’ project, I learned how to get close to people. - Rihab (credit:@insidezaatari/Save the Children)
(12 of15)
When in Syria, I liked to read and to draw. I would draw life as it was happening. I also wrote poetry. I am the youngest one in a family of 12 and it was not always easy to do it.
I would also spend time playing, preferably outside. At school, I especially like science and maths and I had a lot of friends.
Syria became too dangerous to stay. We had no food, no water and no electricity. When my parents told me that we had to leave, I was totally devastated. I thought Jordan was a desert and that there will be no school to go to. The journey to Jordan was long. I took my necklaces, rings and all my school books in my bag. These were the very first things I wanted to take with me.
When I arrived in Za’atari and realized that it was so different from the life I was used to, I was depressed. Everything seemed to be so disorganized. It looked like total chaos. To discover that there were schools in the camp helped me to adapt. I met many girls at school and started to look at life in a more positive way.
The photography classes became a reason for me to keep me going and hoping. My self-confidence increased. I learned how to talk to people that I did not know, simply by asking them to take their picture. Now I can say that life is almost normal. - Ro'a (credit:@insidezaatari/Save the Children)
I would also spend time playing, preferably outside. At school, I especially like science and maths and I had a lot of friends.
Syria became too dangerous to stay. We had no food, no water and no electricity. When my parents told me that we had to leave, I was totally devastated. I thought Jordan was a desert and that there will be no school to go to. The journey to Jordan was long. I took my necklaces, rings and all my school books in my bag. These were the very first things I wanted to take with me.
When I arrived in Za’atari and realized that it was so different from the life I was used to, I was depressed. Everything seemed to be so disorganized. It looked like total chaos. To discover that there were schools in the camp helped me to adapt. I met many girls at school and started to look at life in a more positive way.
The photography classes became a reason for me to keep me going and hoping. My self-confidence increased. I learned how to talk to people that I did not know, simply by asking them to take their picture. Now I can say that life is almost normal. - Ro'a (credit:@insidezaatari/Save the Children)
(13 of15)
"I spent a week in Zaatari teaching young people in the Save the Children programme about photography and the power and possibilities of sharing images online. I am so proud of these kids – consider these photographs and words as windows into the bright young minds in Zaatari." - Michael Christopher Brown, Magnum photographer (credit:@insidezaatari/Save the Children)
(14 of15)
"To be a good photographer you don’t need to attend a school in New York, have expensive equipment, and travel the world documenting ‘important’ issues. Any one of these kids has the potential to become a good photographer. Perhaps even a great photographer. However what they do need is our support and our encouragement, to realise their potential." - Michael Christopher Brown, Magnum photographer (credit:@insidezaatari/Save the Children)