Projects

SUMMARY
In 2009, an initiative took place in Lebanese areas affected by war and consisted of workshops, trainings and performances aimed at resolving post-traumatic stress and increasing awareness and prevention of the risks of unexploded devices among children.

BACKGROUND
In addition to the large-scale destruction in several regions, the 2006 war on Lebanon left behind it an unknown number of unexploded landmines, cluster bombs and munitions in 400 different sites. Living the post-war trauma, in parallel to the continuing threat from unexploded devices was a complex matter for the people who had been displaced and those who returned to their completely or partially destroyed villages to try to rebuild their lives. Primary field research among children in those areas revealed symptoms such as bedwetting, violence, lack of expression and emotional disconnection, as well as physical trauma such as war-related injuries, etc.

Under these circumstances, it is essential to bring psychological and social support to those children in order to help them overcome the trauma of the war and to make them aware of the dangers of unexploded lethal devices. To achieve this, "KHAYAL without Borders" proposes the use of different artistic means such as audiovisual arts, dance, drama and visual arts to expose, elucidate and help solve children’s different post-war traumas and the hazards of unexploded devices, in collaboration with local social workers and teachers.

TARGET GROUPS
Social workers and teachers.
Children aged between 2 and 12 years old.

OBJECTIVE(S)
Provide psychosocial support for children affected by the 2006 war on Lebanon and its aftermath by helping them improve their capacity for self-preservation and resilience through arts and games.
Increase children’s awareness of the dangers of landmines, cluster bombs and other war-related hazards