For Youth in Ramtha, Capoeira Boosts Physical Activity and Promotes Social Cohesion
Inside a small classroom in Learning for Life Community Center in Ramtha, a city located northwest of Jordan near the southern Syrian border, a young boy dressed in a white T-shirt and baggy sweatpants proudly demonstrated Aú sem Mão, an advanced capoeira move to his peers and instructor. A smile spread across Omar's face after he finished the demonstration.Omar, who has only recently come to learn capoeira, has quickly discovered the excitement that capoeira has to offer.
At Capoeira4Refugees we recognize the impact sports can make to transform young people’s lives. We use capoeira as a tool in Ramtha and other underserved communities to keep Syrian refugees and local Jordanians like Omar physically and socially active.
Before capoeira, 13-year-old Omar did not participate in any sports or physical activities. Faced with a lack of recreational resources in Ramtha, many Jordanian boys including Omar seldom experience the physical and social benefits of a sport. Now that Omar has incorporated capoeira into his weekly routine, he finds new ways to channel his energy.
"There’s nothing in Ramtha, just houses." Omar said. “And when asked about his day, he explained, “I wake up in the morning and train capoeira before breakfast. Afterwards, I go to school and come home to either train more capoeira or sit and watch TV.”
Capoeira4Refugees trainers have been delivering capoeira classes to Omar and his peers at the Life Community Center since July. It is here that they are able to participate in recreational activity while they learn capoeira and socialize with their friends. Some of these students have been doing capoeira since the start of the program, while others just recently joined. Regardless of their age or skill levels, all of them come together twice a week to play games and drill capoeira exercises.
Omar enjoys playing capoeira at the center because it makes him feel energized and strong. Since capoeira is the only sport Omar plays, he takes it very seriously and practices everyday.
"Omar is the best player in the class." Palhaco, one of Capoeira4Refugees's trainers, said. “Omar is very committed to capoeira and even teaches other students in his spare time. I can see that he pushes himself so far forward.”
While much work remains to be done to increase recreation activities for Ramtha's children and youth, Capoeira4Refugees plans to continue providing them with a safe space to express themselves and build trust and ties that will extend beyond capoeira.
For Yazan, 14, the interactive nature of capoeira not only allows him to build physical strength, but also to develop friendships with one another. Yazan comes to capoeira classes every week along with four other family members. Prior coming to the center for capoeira, he didn't know the other boys in his class. But after having played capoeira for more than a month, Yazan now looks forward to each class:
"I want to come say hi to Palhaco (trainer) and everyone else. I love to play with the other boys, and I got to know them better."
Laith, 11, also uses capoeira to deepen his relationships with his peers outside of the center. After playing capoeira he now feels confident and is eager to show his classmates some capoeira movements.
“I show my friends capoeira after school,” he said, “and they all thought it looked really good.”
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