Bidna Capoeira 
- Award Entered:
Best New Project - Parent Organisation:
Bidna Capoeira - Project Host Nation:
West Bank/United Kingdom - Overview of Project:
Bidna Capoeira supports psychosocial wellbeing in refugee camps where children are often the victims of violence, and broken community structures. Lacking stability in their lives, they suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms such as aggressiveness, inability to interact with peers, or loss of bladder control. Capoeira in the Occupied Palestinian Territories tackles the psychosocial problems that children face, through promoting a safe space, physical and mental health and sense of community. To play, one needs a partner; the singers, instruments and the energy of the group. A social roda (circle) is also used to play and to address issues at the community or personal or training level. The issues discussed can range from environmental, to gender awareness to discipline during the training session. Capoeira uniquely combines music, sport, play, and social gathering to create an active community. There are no winners, there are no losers, and there are no special skills required. This makes capoeira available to all without prejudice. Capoeira was originally used as a tool for emancipation and resistance by African slaves brought to Brazil. To this day it remains a powerful tool for community integration, education and empowerment.
Comments
Add Your Comment
Juriti, capoeirista, Switzerland: 17 Jun 2011 - 00:18 BST
Capoeira breaks borders, no matter what you are, where you are from or what you think, it just brings people together. In addition to that, one's own physical & psychological conciousness is developed in every move, song and roda one's participating. This is why I think, Bidna Capoeira does a great job by bringing all this art to the people in need.
Chris Vaqueiro Maier: 16 Jun 2011 - 18:33 BST
As both a capoeira teacher and teacher I greatly appreciate the work of Bidna Capoeira. Capoeira can play an important role in the development of a child´s mind, body and perception. Ethics, respect, aesthetic sense, appreciation for music and rhythm as well as the physical activity provide a stable environment for a child to grow in.
Ummul Choudhury, Director, Bidna Capoeira: 27 May 2011 - 07:43 BST
We ran a capoeira event in one of our projects, Al Fawwar Camp, West Bank. The local papers picked it up- so, comments from the local community on our work here. Check out this link http://www.maannews.net/arb/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=391119 and take a look at the photos! We could not do this without support from the schools, local communities, and, of course, the children!! Thank you!
yotam harmat-ben meir: 25 May 2011 - 22:31 BST
I am a capoeirista and a social change activist and i think that the combination of both that binda capoeira has done is simply inspiring for me in my work with children as much as with adults. AXE
Henry Tricks, Tokyo bureau chief, The Economist: 10 May 2011 - 04:08 BST
Capoeira, with its vibrant combination of sport, music, rhythm and group harmony, is an excellent way to raise spirits among refugees, and to give them a sense of the wider world beyond the confines of their camps. It not only provides a sense of physical balance and grace, it also brings people together with laughter and energy, and can make a world of difference in terms of giving people a sense of purpose in life. It's an infectious source of fun; there should be much more song, dance and communal sports in all communities shorn of hope. It gives something to look forward to.
Simon Burns: 08 May 2011 - 10:06 BST
This video gives a good idea of the great things Bidna Capoeira is doing in Palestine, and also the playful and inclusive spirit of Capoeira: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7klekBpV40&NR=1 Since Capoeira started few weeks ago in Al Fawwar camp Youssef joined the boys group. Integration was not spontaneous from the young boys but rather progressive. Today they share and have fun together...
Omar Al-Qattan, Trustee AM Qattan Foundation: 06 May 2011 - 17:21 BST
Capoeira is an extraordinarily liberating activity for children in Palestine, many of whom live in constant physical frustration and malaise. Malnutrition, anxiety, cramped living conditions and violence but also cultural taboos that inhibit physical expression. Capoeira offers them a clever, scintillating and fantastically energetic way to vent that frustration and to express themselves. How wonderful to momentarily replace real violence with play!
Maurizio Crivellaro, IRC Director for Jordanan an Palestinian Territories: 05 May 2011 - 12:36 BST
It is important to support psychosocial relief work through sport and cultural activities with children in refugee communities. Capoeira is an especially innovative way of accessing and supporting camp communities.
Roger Hearn, Director of UNRWA: 05 May 2011 - 08:53 BST
UNRWA have always understood that sport can play an important stabilising role for communities experiencing emergency situations or deprivation of any kind. Having worked with Bidna Capoeira I think they have the professionalism, innovation and dynamism as an organisation to help in many of the world's problem areas. The work they have done for UNRWA has proven particularly successful in breaking down gender barriers and supporting particularly vulnerable children. And most important, they have helped bring a sense of fun and excitement into various refugee camps - this has not only benefited the children but the community at large