SCT Centre has launched a Social and Community Theatre intervention in the “Bentiu Protection of Civilian Site”, the largest refugee camp in South Sudan, which houses approximately 120,000 displaced people. The project is developed within the psychosocial peacekeeping mission organized by IOM (International Organization for Migration).
The SCT Centre team on site is composed of Manuela Pietraforte and Francesca Longo, who left Italy three weeks ago. At the moment our operators have started the first phase of the intervention and have sent this testimony that tells of the sensations felt on site. We share it with you.
“Our adventure in South Sudan has begun. We have been in Bentiu, in Unity State, for a couple of weeks, in one of the largest refugee camps in the world: 110,000 people have lived there for about three years. To welcome us we found the IOM staff, with colleagues from different continents: Asians, Europeans, Africans. Finding a common working language is a challenge we are overcoming step by step. In the meantime, we proceed with the first tours of the camp, aimed at getting to know its complex reality, to map the existing activities. At first glance, the Nuer people appear lively to us: they do not miss an opportunity to show us their traditions of art, dance and song. Meanwhile, the first thunderstorms announce the imminent arrival of the heavy rain season.”
In detail, the SCT Centre intervention includes three specific phases of work, typical of the TSC methodology.
1. Mapping of existing activities in the refugee camp, where there are many informal groups engaged in artistic activities;
2. Implementation of Social Theatre activities with the refugee groups of the camp, which were identified during the mapping. The aim is well-being, with a specific focus on the issue of the condition of problematic young people;
3. At the end of July, organization of a Community event with the groups involved in the TSC activities.
