Group D’Oxala

In al-Tanf, a refugee camp set up in the no-man’s-land near the Syrian-Iraqi border, Palestinian children who have fled the conflict in Iraq participate in various activities designed to help them heal their psycho-social wounds. 

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“Once we brought interactive theatre, another time clowns, and lately ‘capoeira’, which turned out to be the most effective activity,” says psycho-social consultant Patrizia Giffoni, who has spent the last year and a half working at al-Tanf.

An emotional outlet

Capoeira is a combination of martial arts, music and dance. The capoeira activities at al-Tanf are being delivered by CapoeirArab, a Syrian association that has trained approximately 2,500 children and young people, many of them from difficult social environments.

“It is a ritualized fight. There is no physical contact, other than eye contact,” explains Ms. Giffoni. “There are elements in it symbolizing attack and defense, so it allows the children to express anger and frustration in a safe and healthy way.”

She adds that capoeira music, rhythm and group singing help to stabilize emotions and harmonize social relationships.

Capoeira training has been of great value to the al-Tanf population. The sessions are attended not only by the children and youths, but also by their parents and grandparents, who come to play music, clap and sing.

Delivering services

The capoeira activities have also been invaluable in helping the camp’s population stay positive despite the occurrence of several fires, which have destroyed possessions, caused injuries and even claimed lives. Ms. Giffoni notes that the fires are a painful reminder of what the refugees have already lost.

Article by: Magda Qandil
Original Source: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/syria_51283.html