UNICEF: 'Capoeira therapy' brings joy to Iraqi refugee children

http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/syria_53004.html

AL-TANF REFUGEE CAMP, Syria, 12 March 2010 The closure in February of the Al-Tanf refugee camp on the Syrian-Iraqi border ends one of the most painful chapters in the post-war story of Iraqs refugee community.

Commonly referred to as a no-mans land, Al-Tanf has, since 2006, housed some 850 Palestinian refugees who had fled sectarian strife in Iraq. Many of them were children.

As a place for children, it was totally barren, just stones, said UNICEF Representative in Syria Sherazade Boualia.

UNICEF and its partner CapoeirArab, a sports association, stepped into the void, teaching Capoeira, a Brazilian-based blend of dance, music and self-defense. After 20 weekly sessions, families in the camp began to see a marked improvement in their childrens mood.

Capoeira is a joyful thing and it is fun, said Hananan, a mother from Al-Tanf. It really changed the mentality of the children and even us.

The introduction of Capoeira in the camp promoted physical activity and contributed to psychological stabilization.

Capoeira was central to the dynamic of the camp and was important to the morale of the people there, said Ms. Boualia. Though Al-Tanf has now closed, other problems remain, and Capoeira will likely play a part in alleviating the boredom of refugee children in the future.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• UNICEF
• Iraq
• Syria
• children
• refugee
• Al-Tanf
• capoeira
• dancing
• CapoeirArab

[capojararaca]

nice one !!!

valeu

[JAIELOMARI]

This is one of the many gifts that Africa has given the world!!!! Axe Capoeira!!!!!!!!!!!

[Louisbr]

Encontrei este vídeo por acaso. Sentimentos de tristeza e lisonjeio se misturam no meu coração. Tristeza em ver pessoas, entre as quais crianças, em condições desumanas, por causas que eles não entendem. Lisonjeio por ver uma arte brasileira levando um pouco de alegria a esses pequenos. Que Deus os abençoem e que esta situação mude o quanto antes.

[danmarino1970]

Beautiful...

[Gamba1664]

Beleza !

[shantanou]

awesome!... we have been doing this kinda stuff for kids charity projects for about 5 years now... i love what i see here....

5 stars and big respects to all involved,

Parvez,

Fighting for Lives