Arbat Camp, Iraq

In the summer of 2022, Lens on Life established a media lab in the Arbat Refugee camp in partnership with local NGO Kurdistan Save the Children (KSC). Located near Sulaymaniyah, the camp is home to approximately 6,000 Kurdish-Syrian refugees who fled violence in Kurdish territories in Syria. The media lab is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment for digital photography, filmmaking, and editing, and hosts ongoing workshops throughout the year. In-person classes are led by Sulaymaniyah-born photographer Niga Salam, who provides guidance, mentorship, and a space for young refugees to explore their creative potential.

This year, we welcomed 12 new students—Syrian refugees who fled violence related to ISIS and the ongoing Syrian Civil War. Despite recent shifts in regional politics, our commitment to supporting these young individuals remains firm. The photography center continues to serve as a crucial space for learning, healing, and growth, offering a safe haven where students can pursue their passions in photography and digital literacy. Their work culminated in a groundbreaking exhibition titled “Out of Square,” held in Sulaymaniyah, which attracted guests from across the region, including the First Lady of Iraq. Over six months, students developed portfolios centered on six of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in collaboration with the Canon Young People’s Program.

In response to the enthusiasm and dedication of our students, we expanded the facility by adding a new building featuring dedicated classrooms and a media lab. The students have embraced a strong sense of ownership over the space, actively participating in its maintenance and upkeep. Many alumni have gone on to apply their skills professionally—five are now working as photographers and interning in communications roles with local NGOs—demonstrating the tangible impact of the program in empowering youth to rebuild their lives through visual storytelling and digital literacy.