Context & objectives
Following the political turmoil of the region, and the tragic events of August 3rd, 2014, when Islamic State (IS) stormed Kurdish villages of Northern Iraq, the region finds itself with large numbers of Internally Displace People (IDPs) who survived IS attacks, who saw their loved ones being captured, killed, tortured and raped.
The emotional and psychological wounds were enormous.
The aim of the first mission was to evaluate the needs and feasibility of a future art therapy intervention amongst the Yazidi community and other IDP minorities in the Dohuk area of the Kurdistan Region of the Republic of Iraq.
The second mission was conducted in partnership with The Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights who supports and assists victims and survivors of torture, persecution and violence in the city of Kirkuk, Kurdistan Region of the Republic of Iraq. They offer free medical, psychological and legal services for adults, children and families from multi-ethnic backgrounds, who survived genocidal attacks and other atrocities, and currently seek a haven in the city along with millions of other refugees. The objectives of this collaboration were to:
- Support caregivers, psychotherapists and counsellors of Jiyan to facilitate art-making sessions with survivors.
- Encourage the victims living in the Qushtapa Camp to lead a life with dignity, safety and hope through finding emotional regulation.
- Encourage the use of visual journaling for the victims as a daily tool of expression.
Impact
Interventions were tailored to establish safety, rekindle play, and reaffirm experiences while working through the trauma within a supportive framework. Through art, participants gained emotional release in expressing the pain of being uprooted and longed verbally for their homeland.
Here are comments received on the training from the caregivers, psychotherapists and counsellors of Jiyan:
“According to the information that we got from them now I can use for treatment some problem like depression, anxiety, ADHD, Autism.”an incredible and curative experience which helped me have a better understanding of myself »
“I feel happy because now I can use arts in my practice for the client.”
“I learned a lot of information about the creative and sensitive use of arts. I can plan for a group of children, to have arts making, and leading a group of children.”
“The workshop was good and useful especially in treating suffering trauma.”
“I learned a lot about making plans, leading a group of children and using arts making, my self-confidence increased. Thank you.“
“During this training, I learned so much not only about the work with my clients but also about myself. Art making is a tool that should be used by every counsellor, and it helps me cope with the many traumatic cases I see.”
“Using arts materials help the clients express themselves confidently and without speaking. These materials help us create confidence with them. Moreover, these materials represent some codes that assist the client be attentive and feel free to express himself/herself in front of the psychotherapist.”
“I feel that I discovered some of the hidden images in using arts material with beneficiaries.“
“This method of treatment it’s wonderful and we didn’t feel tired.“
“Some of my cases can’t express themselves clearly orally but arts make them express it easily and we’ll understand their problems and nature.”
Partners
Our gratitude goes to partners The Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights, Yazda and donors Fondation Jean-Francois Peterbroeck, Futur 21, Mr. Murtaza Lakhani.
