On the request of the Harmony Foundation, SPANDAN, an NGO headed by Mr.Amarjeet Amle organised a filmmaking workshop for Afghani and Tibetan refugee children in New Delhi from 2nd November-8th November 2022. The workshop engaged the refugee children in the various domains of filmmaking like editing, direction, photography, acting, etc. “Our goal through this workshop on filmmaking was to provide an opportunity to introduce these refugee children to the basics of filmmaking and to meet the goals and aspirations of children who have an interest in theatre,” said Dr Abraham Mathai, Founder Chairman – Harmony Foundation & Former Vice-Chairman – Minorities Commission.
These children could be having aspirations and desires to be in this field, but unfortunately many refugee children do not get a platform or a chance to avail themselves the proper training and skills for the same. In view of this, Harmony Foundation undertook this initiative to support the dreams and aspirations of such children, Dr Mathai stressed.
The Harmony Foundation, in its press release, highlighted that the refugee children are the most vulnerable victims of the refugee crisis who have gone through inexplicable trauma. These refugee children, like any other children, led a normal life until unfortunate events like war crises in their homeland transformed their lives in a matter of seconds. Overnight, millions of children become refugees and are exposed to the harsh realities of life. Furthermore, while few take refuge in a new country, leading life in a new homeland brings innumerable challenges for these children, who face myriad issues at such a tender age. Most of the refugee children don’t have access to basic education in their host countries, and therefore, one of the ways through which we can help them in rebuilding their lives and reviving their lost dreams is by providing the means to achieve that.
“These children like our children, too, have dreams, and Harmony Foundation aspires to help them and in association with SPANDAN are trying to provide opportunities for refugee children to pursue those dreams. Therefore, through this workshop on filmmaking, our aim was to reinvigorate the dreams and aspirations of refugee children in the domain of art and culture. The first phase of the workshop was for 7 days, which will be continued periodically under the personal guidance of Mr.Amarjeet Amle, the founder of SPANDAN,” said Dr Mathai.
Harmony Foundation is a non-profit organisation working for social justice and to bring awareness and build advocacy for the pressing social evils and humanitarian issues that are facing the world today. Each year the Harmony Foundation identifies a theme that highlights the need of the hour affecting humanity worldwide. For the past 17 years, the Foundation has had the prestigious Mother Teresa Memorial Awards for Social Justice, and the award is given to individuals and organisations who have spearheaded and impacted their communities as well as globally with their compassionate and world-changing work. This year, in its 18th edition, Harmony Foundation will be having the prestigious award on the theme of “Compassion beyond borders for Refugee Children”. “We aim to award next month remarkable and inspiring individuals, organisations, and Heads of State who have carried forth monumental work in supporting Refugee Children,” Dr Mathai said, revealing his NGO’S plans for future.
As an independent media platform, we do not take advertisements from governments and corporate houses. It is you, our readers, who have supported us on our journey to do honest and unbiased journalism. Please contribute, so that we can continue to do the same in future.
