HIAS’ children’s activity in the camps in eastern Chad includes athletics, songs and art, and offers young refugees an opportunity to discuss their traumatic experiences. The activities promote positive social behavior and encourage discussion of trauma.

The groups of children typically comprise 20-30 boys and girls per session. The activities begin with songs as a warm-up activity. Before the sun gets too high, they continue outside with athletics and games. They then return to HIAS facilities for art therapy. Children’s activities end with songs (often about Darfur) and traditional dancing.

The children carry a lot of traumatic, emotional experiences that need to be expressed. The fact that the children readily engage and disclose their traumatic experience is a remarkable testimony to the trust and comfort they feel vis-à-vis the HIAS counseling team.

The HIAS sessions provide a rare and much-needed oasis of guidance and normality amidst their life in the camp, and the counselors are exceptional figures of nurturance. The children display a marked change in affect and behavior at the end of the play-activity. They are starved for normal, positive social play. They are also starved for the toys that are made available. HIAS provides for time, space, and elementary instruments wherein these children can engage in age-appropriate and rehabilitative activities. This crucial HIAS initiative provides a modicum of normalcy and a glimmer of hope to their challenging lives in the camps.