Hello everyone,
We would like to share the video of an interview featuring Tala Mousa & Farah mousa and Dev Rai on July 22, 2026. The recording of the Book Talk is available here.
1. Build Hope
Build Hope is an initiative founded by Gazan sisters Tala Mousa and Farah Mousa. They were named Middle East Winners of The Earth Prize 2026. Their project is a decentralized reconstruction system that turns building rubble into reusable, non-load-bearing blocks using simple local materials and low-cost methods.
– Media features: BBC, TRT World, CBC News, The National News, and many other outlets.
– Their story was mentioned during Mariam Abdelsalam Solika’s speech at the United Nations Charter celebration of its 80th Anniversary in New York.
– It was also highlighted again at the UNRWA Pledging Conference 2026, with the UN Secretary-General, the President of the UN General Assembly, and the Acting Commissioner-General of UNRWA in attendance.
– We are truly honored to feature them in our Hall of Fame.
2. What the Pink Balloon Knows
What the Pink Balloon Knows was selected as a finalist in the Pulitzer Center’s 2026 Fighting Words Poetry Contest.
Dev wrote the poem to help readers understand the human cost of the war in Gaza, especially how separation and displacement can continue to reshape a family even after they reach safety. He hopes this work will build empathy and make experiences far from our own feel personal.
– He was recently featured on FOX 5 DC.
– He received a congratulatory letter from U.S. Senator Mark Warner in recognition of his win at the 2026 YoungArts Award with Distinction in Writing/Nonfiction.
– Dev has also been one of our talented Newsapper Writers since November 2025, and we have featured him in our Hall of Fame.
The interview was conducted by Anh La, founder of INSPIRE YOUTH JOURNAL, inspired by the meaningful connection between Build Hope and What the Pink Balloon Knows.
Anh La is a 2024 UNDP Vietnam interviewee and has also been an invited speaker at the John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize Gala Dinner and Conference 2023, the ASEAN Youth Volunteer Forum 2025 (organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur), and other youth events in Nigeria, Ghana, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
We are also truly honored that Tala and Dev are among the recipients of our Honorary Ambassador title. The Honorary Ambassador for INSPIRE YOUTH JOURNAL is a prestigious title for youth who can connect young people worldwide who care about global issues and peace. The Harvard Crimson Global Essay Competition, one of the world’s most prestigious essay contests, congratulates its Regional Winners on receiving our Honorary Ambassador title.
Note: Please do not use this interview for any political purposes.
Sincerely,
The INSPIRE YOUTH JOURNAL Team
Global Platform for Youth Journalism
