Currently we support a project in the Bakaa Valley in Libanon.
Sonbola Children Choir
Supporting Syrian refugee children in Libanon
The situation in the refugee camps in the Bekaa Valey in Libanon ist disastrous. People live mostly in tents, with inadequate clothing, especially in the cold and wet winter months. It is a constant struggle for survival, with all the negative consequences such as prostitution, child labor and forms of slavery. The children – about 40 per cent of the Syrian population is under 15 years of age – have hardly had any lessons since their arrival in these camps.
Not only the external life makes the lives of these young people unbearable, but also the monotonous life in the camp without any perspective, or change. Nothing is there to help them getting over the terrifying experiences of war and escape, the loss of close relatives, friends and home.
For that particularly reason, the foundation Nai. was created. It’s goal is conveying positive experiences to children and young people through musical projects. Singing and making music are valuable means, which give children inner stability so they can withstand stress, improve their creativity and self-confidence and bring joy to life.
Through donation, more than 700 children were able to receive music lessons once a week for three months in several Bekaa camps during the summer months.
At the beginning of November 2014, the project creating a children’s choir began with our partner Sonbola an NGO for lifelong learning (www.sonbola-ngo.com)
Approx. 100 children traveled once a week from their camps to choir lessons, conducted by Barkev Taslakian and his assistants in the famous Fayha choir. Fayha choir has made a name for itself not only in Arab countries, but also in Belgium, China, Germany, France, Canada, Spain and Cyprus. The choir has been awarded many prices one of which was best choir with the best conductor in 2007 at the International Choir Festival in Warsaw (www.fayhachoir.org).
A year later, Sonbola Choir gave an outstanding performance in the Bekaa Valey, at the Safadi Cultural centre in Triopli and at the American University in Beirut.
The choir was also supported by the famous singer Oumeima Al-Khalil and her husband, pianist and composer Hani Siblini.