IRAQ-CHILDREN/POETRY Syrian Kurdish children perform at festival aimed at healing

Record ID: 150353

  • Title: IRAQ-CHILDREN/POETRY Syrian Kurdish children perform at festival aimed at healing
  • Date: 7th June 2015
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Kurdish) RANJ ABDULLAH, HEADMASTER OF KAZIWA KINDERGARTEN, SAYING: "War has definitely affected the lives of the children and we can see that when we deal with them. It was so obvious at the beginning, but with the passage of time it has become less evident. We have tried through our educational programmes and activities to alleviate the impacts of war and we
  • Embargoed: 22nd June 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Iraq
  • Country: Iraq
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA3FA4P6IL14BV915O9BKEB64VJ
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Charity workers from Kurdistan Save the Children (KSC) have launched an artistic initiative aimed at supporting Syrian Kurdish refugee children traumatised by the horrors of Syrian conflict.
    The showcasing of the campaign took place at an art festival in the northern Kurdish city of Sulaimaniya in Iraq, as part of a month-long programme to celebrate Children's Day.
    Held at Arabat Camp, the event included poetry recitals, Kurdish folk songs and dance performances by children, dressed in traditional Kurdish attire. An exhibition of their hand painted work displayed the charity's multidimensional approach to the use of creative arts to heal, empower learn and fulfil their potential.
    The educational programme referred to as Heart: Healing and Education through the Arts has introduced the idea of art as a release from the struggles of their daily life, many of whom have never held a paintbrush before.
    "We have 175 children. We are trying to make them forget bad memories of the war and the suffering they endured. We want to give them some of their rights to enable them to live their childhood. We have recreational and educational activities daily, "said Ranj Abdullah, headmaster of the Kaziwa kindergarten, where the celebration was held.
    The four-year conflict in Syria has displaced millions of Syrians.
    UNICEF said last year more than 7.3 million children have been affected by the civil war, including 1.7 million who have fled the country. In neighbouring Iraq an estimated 2.7 million children have been affected by conflict, with at least 700 believed to have been maimed or killed this year alone.
    Abdullah said that all the children at the school have experienced severe traumatic stress from the war and displacement.
    "War has definitely affected the lives of the children and we can see that when we deal with them. It was so obvious at the beginning, but with the passage of time it has become less evident. We have tried through our educational programmes and activities to alleviate the impacts of war and we have made progress and we really see a difference."
    A colourful display of paintings lit up the camps fences of the kindergarten, depicting children playing under a smiling sun and rainbows, families playing games, and reflections of happier moments of their childhoods.
    Organisers hope that by encouraging the children to recollect their more positive memories, they will have hope, resilience and with time, aspiration to escape the cycle of poverty and destruction. The programme involves the parents and the entire camp or community the child lives within.
    "Our main objective and concern is how to help children forget about the war, their trauma, the ordeal of their journey here. We are trying to help children, but at the same time we are working to help families as well," said Head of Education at KSC.
    As the festival drew to a close, gifts were distributed - a rare treat for the children of the camp.
    "There is war in Syria, so we left and I came to this kindergarten. This kindergarten is very nice. Here we have parties and singing and presents. It is very nice here, " said Mohammed Mustafa, a Syrian refugee taking part at the event. Another child, Halbust Shara said, "We've come here because there are bombings in Syria. We like the kindergarten because here we can play, learn and sing and do all the nice things."
    Save the Children hopes that its steps in Sulaimaniya will strengthen the resolve of the victims of the conflict and provide them with tools for emotional release as they move forward with their war torn lives.
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