Review

Syrian refugee children being healed from the pain of war through music

▷ Photo source: Movie ‘Thinking of Oppa’

Do you know the movie ‘Thinking of Oppa’? A soldier who lost all his precious family and comrades due to war meets children who lost their parents and were left alone, and in the midst of the war, he forms a children's choir and begins to sing. And the children's songs begin to shed light on the cruel and painful battlefield little by little. In fact, this movie touched the hearts of many people with its story of good neighbors and children's choirs during the Korean War.

Would you believe that there is a similar choir story in a place as far away as Jordan in the Middle East?

Amman, the capital of Jordan. There is a 'Leaf School' for Syrian refugee children in an area about an hour's drive from the airport. The Leaf School is made up of refugee children from Syria and is an educational institution that teaches English, music, etc. Since there are not many schools nearby, classes are divided into morning and afternoon classes. There is a shortage of classrooms, teachers, and educational materials compared to the number of children.

▷ Photo source: TOP Media Group

Syrian refugees in Jordan came to Jordan under all kinds of difficulties due to the civil war, but are legally unable to get even a decent job. Moreover, the father cannot make a living on his own, and in most families, both the mother and the children work. Such children cannot even have a proper meal, let alone an opportunity to learn.

In fact, more than 2.8 million people have fled Syria to escape the civil war. Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, nearly 3 million refugees have emerged, of which 700,000 have entered Jordan. The civil war that lasted for four years took away everything, and the children were deeply hurt.

“Hope for Syrian refugee children, Leaf Choir”

In this situation, we are starting a new step for the children gathered at Leaf School. We are starting a choir for Syrian refugee children who have suffered greatly from war. The name of the choir is “Leaf Choir”. This choir was built with the hope that Syrian refugee children will heal from the wounds of war and grow into children with hopes and dreams.

“Leaf Choir” meets twice a week and not only teaches singing, but also fills the hunger of children hurt by war. Above all, the children are thirsty for affection, so they are gradually being healed from the wounds of war through the handshakes and caressing hands of their teachers. Although refugee life has no end in sight, children are developing their dreams here.

“Children growing their dreams amidst the miserable refugee life.”

What does “Leaf Choir” mean to children? Children suffer from the aftereffects of war trauma and are in difficult conditions where they cannot receive proper counseling or psychological treatment. The Leaf Choir, which heals the sick hearts of these children through music, is the only hope for these children.

The family of Muhammad (11), a student at Leaf School, lost their home due to bombing during the war and became refugees. The afterimage still remains and I am startled even when I slam the door. When my child first came to Leaf School, he had a hard time talking to strangers. However, while doing choir, I started to regain my confidence, and my fear is slowly disappearing. He thought he was the only one who had experienced something scary, but now his thoughts have changed and he can embrace his friends. Even though my old friends and hometown are far away, I am growing 'together' and pursuing my dreams in a new environment with new friends.

“I will create a future with music! I want to teach it to my friends.”

He says that he is happy every day because he has a school where he can sing with his friends, rather than the difficult life in the refugee camp where he had to pick up trash. Muhammad, who has already achieved his dream, is happy every day.

Not just Muhammad. “When I sing happily with my friends, I feel my heart becoming happier.” “Before joining the choir, my life was nothing. But now, my life and heart are happy.”, “I also have a dream. When I return to my hometown, I will form a choir!”. Children dream through choir in places where there is nothing left but despair. As long as the war does not end, the number of children born in refugee camps will increase and think that refugee camps are the whole world, but they are all singing songs of hope here.

“A miracle created by a small song, we will protect Syrian refugee children so that they can sing songs of hope!”

Syrian refugee children are living without losing hope in the difficult environment of war and refuge. WECA, the World Educational Cultural Aid, will work with you to ensure that the harmony of peace and hope they create continues. Please join us!

[Leaf Choir support inquiry: 02-2689-3959www.weca.or.krWorld Educational Cultural Aid WECA]