We have started the sixth phase of our project!
Refugee Camp Dzaleka - Malawi
Project "Yoga for Peace, Reconciliation and Unity"
We have already benefited 3,746 children and 340 adults and in the next phase we will impact over 12,000 children and 1,000 adults.
Our project focuses on sharing tools that improve psychosocial support, mental and physical health of refugees and the host community as well as the improvement of education. Over 55,000 refugees and asylum seekers live in Dzaleka. Over 33,000 are children of which more than 22,000 are out of school. Post-traumatic disorders, the precariousness of life in and around the settlement, added to the effect of the covid-19 pandemic, has worsened the mental conditions of the entire population.
To continue with the project from this fifth phase, we have partnered with the Mind and Life Institute and Dzaleka Dojo organisation, which, in turn. This partnership secures the strength and success of the project, which may bear more fruits when replicated in new refugee camps in the near future. Right now we are Training 34 participants.
Project Development
Fase 1
In 2016 Shelley Sams, a YPV and Jesuit Refuge Service volunteer, began teaching yoga at the Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi,
Fase 2
In 2018 we trained and certified Donatien Fundi Fire, a refugee from Congo, as a yoga teacher for children.
Fase 3
After completing the course, Donatien began teaching children and young people living in Dzaleka.
Fase 4
In 2019 we went to Dzaleka to offer a new training session where 3 new people participated and we began to prepare the next phases of the project.
Fase 5
On 12 July 2021, wIth the collaboration of Jesuits Refugee Service, we have recruited a refugee from Kongo, Donatien, to reach more children and schools; so far we have benefited 2,146 children, (1,629 schooled and 517 out of school)
Fase 6
In 2023 we have recruited 24 refugees and asylum seekers, and 10 Malawians from the host community members, to participate in the yoga teacher training course. starting in June. the Mind and Life Institute, from USA, have Grant us with 10.000 USD to develop a 2 years project.