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Written by Agyatmitra
Play needs presence, proximity, holding hands maybe (voluntarily), being able to sing and dance in tandem or out of rhythm (to each their own), getting a sense of togetherness. How do you focus on connection between people when you can’t help but think about the connection of the internet? Yet there is no saying no to, when you get asked to do it for people in places where going physically is not feasible.
Imagine 2 windows on the computer screen, one from Herat, the other from Kabul. All sitting in a circle in their respective locations, as we would in any workshop space and 2 humans sitting in India (Swati Bhatt & Agyatmitra Agyatmitra) completing the circle...this is how we work with them!
The staff of Jesuit Refugee Services in Afghanistan is based in Herat & Kabul and they work with children in IDP (Internally Displaced People) camps. We designed the 10 modules, each with elements of knowledge on Experiential Education methodology, skills to play, bringing in life skills and wellbeing in the classrooms and mindset to practice values of inclusion to create a safe space.
The 2nd round of work that started this year has a twist. The twist: get the staff to facilitate the activities, and 2 humans (us) on the other side of the screen mentor the 2 teams in the process. Phew! These facilitators then pass on their learning to teams of teachers and volunteers in their locations and so start the ripples...
Enters Kikori Social Emotional Learning App, Play for Peace is a partner and contributor to the app. The app is not limited to just the activities. It has facilitation notes, questions, variations, and one might find a language of their comfort. Once in a while, translation in Dari language happens amongst the team. It’s a beautiful language (to hear)!
It is quite a blessing to have this merging of boundaries where a group of committed individuals in Afghanistan is able to build their skill & knowledge connecting to 2 people in India and an app designed by passionate people like Kendra Bostick who are on the other side of the globe. There is of course the host organizations Jesuit Refugee Service (& Sandesh Gonsalves heading the operations with a long-term vision) that is able to do this with funds that may be coming from multiple contributors in different parts of the world.
It takes MANY to make this impossible happen...reaching out to about 2,300 children and 1,400 youth every week. These children then play with their families & neighbors. Facilitators play with their families and neighborhood, we hear!!! Waiting for the day when we will meet this wonderful team of resilient facilitators in person and do Alive, Alert, Awake, Enthusiastic.
