Fighting trauma with art
Federal grant for refugee therapy
A TOOWOOMBA charity supporting traumatised refugee women and children has received a $49,985 grant from the Federal Government.
Each week, more than 40 women gather at the Masonic Lodge to take part in the Peaceful Humans Inc rehabilitation program. Together they make art, using the patterns in their pieces to communicate past traumas.
The program now has the ability to expand using funds from the government’s Fostering Integration grant scheme.
Peaceful Humans Inc founder Genevieve Allpass said the program helped build a capacity for learning and growth.
“Under the program, participants work with highly qualified therapists, counsellors and psychologists to help nurture and support women and children from countries like Syria and Iraq,” she said.
“The stories are horrific, the majority of the women here have been in captivity with ISIL and have seen the worst types of trauma and torture.”
Federal Member for Groom John McVeigh met with the group yesterday to present the grant. He commended the volunteers and said the progress was heartening.
Group member Evleen Jawish, who left the war in Syria a year and a half ago, said she tried to repress the memories.
“I still have family there, my big brother was imprisoned by Al-Qaeda. I help the ladies here to try to forget what has happened,” she said.
“Last week (during the class) one lady cried. We all cried with her, but then we smiled together.
“(We) find rest in the art and we are hopeful for a bright future.”