>> Many Voices - The Refugee Project
>Refugee Week 20th-26th June 2011As part of Refugee Week 2011 the Many Voices Project are taking part and performing at different events throughout the local community. The drama group at Afghan Association Paiwand's Saturday School in Brent are performing as part of a community celebration of Refugee Week. The group will perform a piece they have devised themselves, telling the story of two competing Puppet Theatres.
The drama group at The Link Centre at Bishopsford School in Merton will be performing at Asylum Welcome; The Queen's Road Drop in Centre in Wimbledon. Sharing their film and live performance entitled 'Helping Hands'. The piece is inspired by the help the group have been given and the help they give to others. The Many Voices Project is so pleased to be taking part in activities and performances that celebrate the contribution made by refugees during Refugee Week.
Many Voices offers a variety of drama and music workshops and performances for young refugees and asylum seekers aged 11-18. By giving space for self-expression through improvisation, movement and devising we hope to increase self-confidence, reduce isolation and engender a sense of belonging and having fun.
Many Voices grew out of Project R formed in 2005 in association with Company of Angels. During 2006-07 regular sessions took place in Leytonstone, Dulwich, Balham and Merton. The beneficial effects were clearly felt.
The Many Voices programme began in January 2008, demand grew and we have been working ever since with Asylum Welcome (Merton), the Afghan Association Paiwand (Brent) and the Brixton Refugee Council (Lambeth).
In most cases the young people are newly arrived in this country. Originating from countries as diverse as Albania, Afghanistan, Somalia, Sudan, Iraq and Iran. They may not share any common language and have very little knowledge of spoken English.
We offer the young people ways of communicating and expressing themselves through the arts - acting, music, dance, film, image work, puppetry, etc - language that transcends words.
We engender a positive outlook, one of embracing the life they lead now. They are encouraged to look forward not back and forge a new community that is tolerant, creative and diverse.
One of the yearly highlights are performances by the students for Refugee Week. The students demonstrate focus, energy and enthusiasm for the performances. Their feedback has let us know that they are visibly encouraged and their confidence and communication skills have grown.
We are always keen to expand the range of our work, and would like to hear from the young people and organisations interested in our activities. We can offer taster sessions, intensive holiday or regular weekly sessions depending on your and your clients needs.
Please call the office to discuss our work in more detail.
What the young people say:
It was very funny, and fantastic to meet friends. The performance was great, I felt very proud and nervous
It made us happy, and gave us confidence
I learned to stay focused and be the best of all!
It was the best thing I've ever done!
What the Audiences say:
Really enjoyed the show so great to see the hard work that all the young people have obviously put in to an enjoyable performance
Really enjoyed the evening! The young people were fantastic so much energy and talent very impressed with the work put into the performances I would definitely come to an event like this again.
It was wonderful and very moving to see these young people in a totally different context, learning, acting, cooperating and using imaginations to present in front of strangers to be appreciated.
If they continue like this easily they can build their self confidence and self esteem
What our Partners say:
The dance and drama feeder groups were very well attended by clients from a range of different countries and they provided a much needed activity during the summer break.
The classes provided an opportunity for the clients to forget about their problems, to bond with one another and make new friends.
It was fantastic to see the different nationalities gelling as well a mix of genders participating in the group work.
As always it has been very rewarding to work in partnership with Attic Theatre Company and to see so many of our young clients benefit from the drama & dance programmes.
Zoe Burton - Refugee Co-Ordinator, Refugee Council, Brixton
I think that the performance was excellent for their self-esteem and they learnt the confidence and poise necessary to perform in front of an audience. The experience bonded the group and all knew that they had to have responsibility for the group outcome. Obviously, the opportunity to perform in public put them in the mainstream and was evidence of inclusion whereas they had previously they would not have had this opportunity in their own countries or in the UK. I am sure that memories of the sessions and performance will stay with the young people for a very long time. Without doubt our students benefit in many ways from these active and enjoyable sessions
The Attic sessions affirm the young people as courageous individuals and give them the belief that they are in safe hands. This opens the door to the trusting relationships of mutual respect which we all show each other. It gives the young people the opportunity to grow in all directions; in their language, confidence, imagination, skills, friendships, good relationships and self esteem.
When we are about to introduce a new young person to the group we try to do it on a Wednesday so that the session with Attic will be a part of their first day. This speaks volumes about how we value the sessions and our belief that your way of working is fun and dis-inhibiting to our youngsters who have had an entirely different experience of a childhood full of fear, terror and violence.
Rosemary Demin - LINK Coordinator, Bishopsford LINK in Merton
We are Paiwand and I am personally very happy with the great job you have done; children are now more open to talk, have better attitude and very well behaved; I think through your work we have found talent in new young person who joined the drama group almost at the very end of the term. [sic]
The group have developed a great deal in the last year in their acting, presentation and leadership skills. They have also shown great confidence and have become great friends in the process.
Children are now more open to talk, have better attitude and very well behaved.
Ahmad Farid Mall - Co-Ordinator, Afghan Association Paiwand, Brent