Art Terapy from Holland

Ineke Ruiter is a well known volunteer of Dorkasz, she helps regurarly in social camps and prison mission. Now she has arrived to have a program for the refugees. Ineke lives in Holland, and she has been a stalwart of Dorkasz for years. The Art Therapy helps people in self-understanding and in expressing their emotions.

Ineke, and her son-in-law, Bert Meutsegea, spent a week with the Refugee Center's children.

This week was a very special experience for them. Not only the games and the creative activities were a novelty for them, but also the English language in which they spoke to them. They tried to understand each other nonverbally and learning some Englsih words, but they got to know each other mostly through the games and drawings.

Of course we asked for a translator in the person of Kissné Péter Hanna, who helpes the refugees in the Center in the area of psychology and mental hygiene.

Hanna told some stories about the week:

"One of the task was to sew a tote, in which they had to put their dreams written on a paper. However it was a long process, they were very persistent and worked hard. We invited the mothers too to participate, and they liked the task very much. A mother, Ilona, already knew how to sew, so she keenly helped the others. The little ones also wanted to try the sewing, so we helped them in order not to poke themselves. They also told us their stories and their dreams for the future. It was very sad, that most of them are worried about the relatives left in Ukrain. The children are missing their grandparents who had to stay in Ukrain, because they were too old to travel, or because they didn't want to left their houses..."

"Another task was to paint a white rock and give it as a present for somebody with some good wishes. Most of the children were painting the rock for their grandparents, still living in Ukrain. There was a pregnant mother (Diana) who also joined us. Diana painted her rock for her husband who is working in Budapest now, and they can only see each other in every 2 or 3 weeks. She said that it is good to know that her husband will remember her when he will look at the rock."

Besides the Art therapy, the children also could participate in their regural activities, so they had activities in the whole day. As the member of the Dorcas team, I saw the children's happyness and interests, and I can say that they are in a great need for these programs!

Rebeka, who is only 3 also was running every morning to participate in these programs, and she learnt something new every day. These children are in a great need for attention and caring, so it is very important for us to give them these oportunities!

If you are also motivated to help with the kids, we are waiting for your apply!