TAG-Org Launches “Rhythms with Refugees” in Cooperation with UNRWA

AMMAN - “Rhythms with Refugees” is a project that aims to bring to the youth in the Palestinian refugee camp of Baqa’a in Jordan a full course of Arab traditional music as a social and artistic support tool.  The project, implemented by the Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization in cooperation with UNWRA, utilizes the experience and creativity of the Jordanian National Orchestra’s Principal Percussionist Brad Broomfield. HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh embraced this idea of the JOrchestra musician, believing in the positive educational impact of music and its power to unite and uplift people through a shared cultural heritage, a sentiment that HE often expresses trough “Music cures the spirit, just as medicine is for the body”.

The program originates from both Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization and the Jordanian National Orchestra Association’s mission of empowering social development through Arts education, and UNWRA’s goal to provide high quality education for Palestinian refugee children. 

The program entails weekly Arts instruction, via the medium of traditional Arabic drumming, as a means of reducing the effects of trauma, of developing critical skills, of creating artistic expression, and increasing cultural awareness. The course gives students the opportunity to learn about music and rhythm in a creative environment while developing new and essential life skills. 

A team of five artists will be teaching and performing in the weekly classes using a specialized curriculum, which brings together music, movement, history, language and creative expression.

“Rhythms with Refugees” utilizes the participants’ cultural heritage for psychological development: drumming has been proven to stimulate the entire brain, to reduce tension, anxiety and stress and to boost the immune system and help control chronic pain. In addition, it helps to free people from negative feelings and emotional trauma, improving the self-understanding and relationships with others in the community.

The Project aims to spread from the Baqa’a camp to Syrian refugee camps in Jordan.