Australian drama group to rehabilitate Ugandan child soldiers

 Image:Children of Peace Uganda

Imaginative play is an everyday experience for most children across the world. I remember making pirate ships of fallen gums and playing beaver’swimming through the misty quagmire of  the neighbouring farmer’s vat of soya beans.

But these are not the childhood memories of thousands of children abducted and forced to fight in wars.  Imagine your child being abducted and forced to fight a war they have no reason to fight. Imagine your eight year-old daughter being given as a ‘wife’ to a military commander.[1] Imagine your child being captured trying to escape, and other children are forced to kill them to set an example.[2] Imagine your child trying to re-enter society after years of intimidation and violence.

This is the reality for over 300,000 children worldwide today.[3] Forced to leave their families, they are subjected to violence and sexual assault,[4] deprived of learning and basic needs,[5] forced to take drugs,[6] and are continuously brainwashed and intimidated.

 Demobilized child soldiers face unique challenges when re-entering their communities.[7][8] While not alone as children whose lives have been affected by war, they are unique in that they may have committed violence against their own community.[9] They are often feared and stigmatised, and girls who have children to commanders are especially at risk of being ostracised.[10]

Project Phoenix, a humanitarian organisation based in South Australia, is on a mission to empower former child soldier through theatre workshops and to create a space where they can imagine the future they desire.

 In early 2015, the Project Phoenix team is travelling to Lira, Uganda. They will put on a performance for former child soldiers, followed by daily workshops over many weeks that will culminate in a performance for the community. Project Phoenix is also fundraising AU$100,000 to build an arts centre in Lira where creativity can heal and work its magic on generations to come.

 Drama therapy has long been used for confronting, expressing and managing the effects of traumatic experiences. One of the most cathartic gifts theatre can give people dealing with trauma is a way to be heard.[11] It allows them to be appreciated and accepted regardless of what they have done, or had done to them.

 The simple act of creating a safe environment is a key step in rehabilitation.[12] After suffering oppressive and abusive relationships with adults, the theatre workshops give former child soldiers the experience of belonging to a supportive group and adults caring about their happiness, their dreams, and their future.

 A compelling argument for the role of drama as a therapeutic tool is its capacity to build empathy.[13] Theatre invites participants to find a balance between self-expression and being receptive to others’ thoughts and views. Participants can learn about the rich diversity of humanity, and also about the common ties that unite us in the experience of being human. It encourages us to understand perspectives beyond our own and can lead to forgiveness, something truly remarkable given these children’s past.

 A main aim of our drama workshops is to build confidence. When workshop leaders create a space where the children are comfortable to explore they can experiment with who they are and who they want to be. They can try on emotions and actions in a space free of judgment. They can test the boundaries of conformity and explore their transformation.[14]

 With this leadership comes responsibility. It is our duty to consider how working with these children’s experiences of violence and terror will impact them.[15] There is a fine balance to be found between confronting trauma directly and creating an environment that is conducive to inspiration, self-healing, and motivation.

 In creating a safe environment where the children are willing to share we must also be aware that consent is a complex matter. In sharing their story they are unveiling a part of themselves that cannot be withdrawn. They may not realise how this disclosure will impact others’ perception of them, or have a fully developed understanding of how they want to be perceived in the future.

 We believe that by taking these factors into consideration and entering the children’s lives with love, compassion, and joy we can share with them the magic of theatre that we are so fortunate to enjoy.

 These children are as important as our own; they are all leaders of the future. Imagine a future where these children are bold, connected, joyous and enthusiastic. Imagine them as leaders who have had a chance to heal and forgive. Imagine their agenda of peace and reconciliation.

 Imagine a future where all children have the freedom to play ‘let’s pretend.’

 Project Phoenix is looking for theatre work-shoppers, actors, directors, musicians, theatre techs and more. If you would like to learn more about joining the team in Africa or about being part of the pre-departure team please check out http://www.projectphoenixtheatre.org/join-the-team/.

 Project Phoenix will be holding events and campaigns in the coming weeks and welcomes you to stay connected via Twitter https://twitter.com/ProjectPhoenixT and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ProjectPhoenixTheatre.