"Strength in Adversity"

About the Competition

Few years are testing communities as this one is. The "Strength in Adversity" competition was launched in April of that year, at a moment when Olive Branch Church — like much of the world — was navigating profound uncertainty. Rather than cancel the competition, the church committee decided it was more important than ever to give young people a place to process, reflect, and write.

The competition was held entirely online for the first time. Submissions were received via email, and judging was conducted virtually by a five-member panel that included, for the first time, a judge from outside Nepal — a Nepali academic based in Australia.

67 entries were received — a strong response given the circumstances — reflecting both the expanded online format and the urgency of the theme.

Competition Theme

How faith sustains individuals and communities in the face of hardship.

Writers were encouraged to approach the theme through personal narrative, theological reflection, argumentative essay, or a combination of these forms.

Who Can Enter

• Open to all residents of Nepal aged 14 to 35
• For the first time, submissions from the Nepali diaspora were accepted
• Submissions accepted in English, Nepali, or both
• Original unpublished work; maximum one entry per person
• Prior competition winners may enter but are not eligible for the prize

Word limit: 600 – 2,500 words  ·  Language: English, Nepali, or bilingual

Criteria

All submissions are reviewed by a panel of church elders, educators, and community representatives. Entries are scored across four weighted criteria:

Deadlines