Jordan is home to 2,117,361 Refugees. Capoeira4Refugees works to address the physical, mental & social problems affecting those impacted by conflict, and build resilience in Refugee Camps. Our programmes have benefited children in Zaatari, Azraq and Emirati Jordanian Camp (EJC), that host a combined 130,000 refugee residents, half of whom are children.
It was reported by the UN that in the context of displacement, children find themselves deprived of their normal social, economic and cultural environment and may face serious difficulties in communicating and adjusting to a new society. As a result, they may suffer from depression, feelings of loss, guilt and punishment.
In many cases, due to their confinement to a refugee camp, refugee children often have little to satisfy their recreational requirements, whether in physical or intellectual activities. The resulting feeling of boredom can have significant detrimental effects.
11 months ago, in December 2015, some of the children at the Azraq refugee camp exhibited poor communication skills;
"for male students, this would escalate into aggressive behaviour such as shouting and shoving" says Sylvia Lim, M&E Coordinator for Capoeira4Refugees. “Many had limited attention span and poor physical coordination – trainers had to work at helping students establish the ability to understand and copy physical movements”
After just a few weeks of capoeira classes, the trainers noticed huge positive changes in the children's behaviour. Many of the children would run up to greet the trainers upon arrival, and were were able to follow instructions. Trainers then began cultivating leadership skills as they let students take turns to help model moves in front of the class. Through participation, refugees can regain influence and control over their lives which, in turn, will have a positive impact on the raising of self-esteem and decrease levels of aggression. The relationships that trainers built with their students also provided students additional psychosocial support.
“Trainers have been included in the students’ informal support network. Students felt comfortable in sharing with the trainers the hardships they faced in Syria”.
Students now have a different and more meaningful way of interacting with the people around them, giving them a safe space to strengthen their relationships with one another. Some of the children even report sharing the capoeira moves and songs they learned with their peers and family members.
Capoeira4Refugees use music, sport & play in our programmes in Syria, Palestine Turkey & Jordan to empower individuals and communities to make positive change for themselves.
With this aim, we recently launched the Changemakers Programme; an alternative education initiative that aims to reinforce local and civic leadership by investing in local trainers as 'Changemakers' within their own communities. We want to develop their skills through mentoring, training, and stipends so they can focus on what they are good at, capoeira; and through the informal education programme shore up life skills to become independent… and to train the next generation.
Through programmes like this, trainers are using the power of capoeira as a way to boost confidence and motivation to be physically active whilst promoting ideals of peace, teamwork, and friendship. All children have a right to equal opportunities for learning, and these youth are no different. Like many others round the world, these children are attracted to music and movements found in capoeira, which encourages them to continue training.
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