One of ten best American School Principal, Dr. Stephen Swymer selected by U.S. Department of Education visited Panaga for a week sharing his knowledge with local teachers and school leaders! Dr. Stephen Swymer taught about what successful teachers have in common. He said and I quote “A good teacher teaches from his mind but a great teacher teaches from his heart”. The doctor’s material focused on what works in education. The elements, practices and goals were that of common in great schools all around the world. The doctor shared the common threads that connect all great teachers. The specific practices, beliefs and common traits great teachers throughout the world share. The final part of the training reinforced the common beliefs and practices of all great education leaders. The information was supported with clear examples and throughout the workshop the emphasis was on how education can change lives, change families, change communities and nations. The approach was focused on all levels of educators, new teachers or seasoned educators. The doctor also spent time on the significance of legacy educators who impact new teachers and the culture of a school environment. Plenty of time was allotted for questions, feedback and input. 25 local teachers from local organizations, Panaga team and volunteers benefited from the course. The all were given certificate at the end of three day training. The course was in coordination with iHi.
Humanitarian Aid Distribution
Distribution of clothes, toys, shoes, hand crafts, raw food, milk powder and financial support to specific students for more than 200 families! The donations were from Khaima NGO, Partners NGO, Chris Mack, Michelle Sanders and Monique Smits.
Lalish Trip
2nd, Nov. 2018 Therapy program session three , Lalish trip is a part of trauma healing process in wich 50 Yezidi orphans and survivors took a trip to Lalish with Panaga Staff and volunteer. The kids get the chance to see Lalish, be baptized and do other ceremonies that any Yezidi does . Moreover The kids along with their teacher spent their entire day at Lalish. Together everyone who helped us with the kids had a decent tradition meal at the midday. Furthermore for making the kids have more fun and doing a different thing for them , On the way back, we stopped in a beautiful place where the kids had fun time enjoyed their time laughing and jumping then coming of the buses so everybody danced together in the beautiful weather of Kurdistan nature. Lalish Cultural Center – Shariya helped Panaga for the trip organization and transportation . The whole project is financed by Partners Relief & Development.
Follow-Up to Trauma Therapy Session 1 and 2
Follow-Up to Trauma Therapy Session 2 October 16, 2018 Through two months project with selected certified psychologists, art therapist and a dedicated local people. Panaga organization brought a sort of inner peace, healing and hope into the life of two sessions of fifty children who themselves or family members were held as captives by ISIS or were orphaned as the result of war and difficult life conditions. With support from Khaima, Swiss Org. and Zarok, a German Org. Panaga could invite 25 kids with 25 their caregivers to Panaga center. In a welcoming place and a safe haven, through art, games, and role playing sessions that incorporated elements of play therapy to address the specific challenges the kids are experiencing, whereas the parents are involved to process their trauma in a kind of related creative activities as talking therapy, engaging in parenting and trauma related topics, crocheting, handcrafts and so on. The kids and parents can together process the stages of trauma recovery. The parents have showed their interest and they were very happy for the chance.
Healing Play Session Training Course
Healing Play Session Training Course 11, September to 21st, September 20 teachers from Panaga staff, volunteers and Zalal Org. got trained on doing healing play sessions for kids aging between 5 and 13. 50 kids were involved in the program. The first five days were inside class for teachers and volunteers. During those days the participants were introduced to the concept of trauma, its types, symptoms, effects on children, identifying triggers, stress and its symptoms, and basic counseling skills. The second five days were with the 50 kids who were orphans, survivors or family of survivors. The experience was beneficial for the teachers and kids. The course lasted ten days about eight hours each day led by Dr. Timothy Friesen specialized in child trauma training. Partners Relief & Development sponsored all the costs of the course.
Trauma Therapy Project Session 3
In 1/9/2018 we as Panaga organization visited Shariya and Kalabadra old village to register kids name for the Trauma Therapy Project, our target was 50 kids who have cases like ( survivor, orphans, or have any immediate family member hold in ISIS captivity) The kids were living difficult circumstance 1- Extreme poverty. 2- Difficulty to provide for their daily needs 3- Lack of care, attention and love The project duration is three months, the children will be provided with programs in the arts (tactile, language, performing) and psychosocial support to help address issues of trauma resulting from the conflict in Iraq. The art therapy course for the first month is focus on visual arts. Children will learn different styles of art including drawing, painting, and handcraft. For the second month, the focus is on drama, the kids will learn the principle of acting and preforming play and dances. The last month is focus on music, those kids who have good voice will be taught to sing songs, and the other will learn the skills of writing poems. Plus the kids will have fun and educational activities such as Language skills (Kurdish, English), Exploration (discovery method science, math, and social studies), Health and Fitness, Literacy, telling stories, Games and Character development. A part of program is also to do group and individual session with kids. Besides psychologists are visiting kids family to have more information about how they can help the kid. During the program the kids will have trip to Lalish temple. At the end of the program the kids will have community event in which the kids will perform their art works, plays, dances , songs and poems.
Community Event Trauma Session 2
Trauma Therapy Project for Ezidi orphans and survivors. After three month of programming, an event is organized where the 50 kids have the chance to demonstrate the things they have learnt, their talent and creativity to other kids, family and community members. In this event the kids showed their beautiful art work of colorful butterflies. Beside they performed several Kurdish and western dances and culture auditions.
Pop-Up Old Sina
The Pop-Up model is one in which we go to an unfinished building, otherwise unoccupied space or build a temporary shelter and bring together any kids in the area. Our goal is to provide kids with non-formal, temporary educational support. This programming seeks to go to villages or areas that are underserved and struggling. It will seek to fill the gaps by offering classes and social interaction for the students. An overarching objective is to build stability, give relief, and provide community cohesion. We have started the first day of the Pop-up – Sina school on 5th August. When got the community there and the kids welcomed us warmly, they were very excited about the program. On the first day we had 45 kids. On the second week, the kids’ number reached 65 kids, in the third week more kids came to register their names, but there weren’t enough space in the classes, since we had only two classes. The volunteer were very active and humble with kids. Art trainer gave them a lot instruction about drawing and painting, and the kid drew many beautiful art works. English teachers taught them body parts, colors, ABC, greeting and introduction. The kids were also excited with dances, games they did and stories they listened to. The program is supported by Zarok, a German NGO.
A day to Remember
A day to Remember! Yazidi Genocide, 3rd, Aug. 2014. The event commemoration by Yazidi survivors, orphans, teachers and volunteers at Haven Organization. We will live on.
Beds and Pillows Distribution
with the help from EDGE Institute, Haven organization could distribute aids on families of survivors, orphans and those affected by the flooding in late spring. The aid included 70 beds and pillows. Many thanks to EDGE Institute and its generous donors.