Project Bantu: refugee youth finding their way through Capoeira Angola

The project combines the healing potential of musical and physical expression to produce a range of social and learning outcomes, Master Roxinho believes that his program “helps the kids to understand themselves, their lives, where they come from, to have an opportunity to put their heads up and face the challenge of day to day life.”

The NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors:

STARTTS, is a government organization that works with refugees suffering from torture and trauma. Richard Walker, Public Affairs Co-ordinator explains, “together with other resettlement services, STARTTS provides interventions to help refugees overcome their trauma and also integrate in Australian life.”

STARTTS grants $700 a week of funding to Project Bantu, provides them with office space and allows them to conduct Capoeira Angola classes on site. The majority of the funding received by STARTTS, comes from both the NSW Department of Health and Department of Immigration and Citizenship. However, this money is only for core programs, such as, counselling. 

Furthermore, STARTTS also focuses on community development work.  A whole range of professionals work closely with those affected by violence and trauma, rebuilding trust and good social relationships. Usually community development programs (i.e.; Project Bantu) have to apply for funding on a rotating basis, from different Federal, State and Local Government Departments.

Mental Health Issues Associated with Refugees:

According to UNHCR, as of June 2009, “the number of people forcibly uprooted by conflict and persecution worldwide stands at more than 42 million, including 16 million refugees outside their countries and 26 million others displaced internally.”

Mariano Coello, a Clinical Psychologist with a speciality in torture and trauma at STARTTS, suggests that the “most common problems are related to people who go through traumatic events, or they themselves or their relatives and loved ones are witness to such atrocities.” According to Dr Coello, “this brings Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and reactions and symptoms.”

Dr Coello suggests that PTSD is “similar to depression, high anxiety and other problems like phobic reactions.” Depression is very common as are issues associated with loss.  “People lose not only their country and culture but also their friends and relatives, possessions and jobs and ability to function in a normal situation,” says Dr Coello,

Dr Coello points out that the experience of living in refugee camps is extremely traumatic and can have a devastating effect on childhood development. “They end up in protracted refugee camp situations, where they are deprived of food, medical attention and proper accommodation.”

Project Bantu: How It Helps These Youth:

Project Bantu has been involved with CHS for four years and Mrs Pickering suggests that, “when it comes to dramatic and long-term results, project Bantu has been by far the best that I've been involved with.”