World Vision has helped children in Lebanon share their hopes and dreams with the wider world through the publication of new book ‘From a Child’s Point of View’.

In the book, Lebanese children between the ages of nine and 17 put into their own words their thoughts on a variety of issues, including child labour, discrimination, violence and education.

“This book is a message to adults to let them know that we are a very important part of the community,” says 14-year-old Youhanna Abou Khazen. “We are the future and we should defend our rights.”

World Vision helped the young authors discover their rights and hone in on their writing and photography skills by running special workshops.

“Children found their way to put in writing the themes that concern them and they did it with such an amazing style and passion,” said Patricio Cuevas-Parra, World Vision Lebanon Advocacy Manager.

“Our hope is that this book will be pivotal in raising awareness of Lebanese citizens about the necessity of dialogue on child rights.”

"A lot of children do not even know what their rights are,” said 11-year-old Tracey Hamzo, who spoke at the launch of the book earlier in the month.

“They don’t know for example that they don’t have to go to war if they are under 18 and my story [in the book] talks about that.”

The book is just one of the fruits of the Children’s Council, a three-year project to equip children in influencing their communities and peers to work together for a more just, peaceful and tolerant society.

“Increasingly World Vision has come to understand that children are not just passive beneficiaries of our aid,” said Perry Mansfield, World Vision Lebanon National Director.

“They are powerful partners with whom we must engage if we are to produce positive and lasting change.”