Kyrienne Thorold
Dance Class (Children aged 5-10)
Fundraising for Flourish Foundation - with Syrian Refugee children
Story
Forgotten Children was aired on ITV in October this year - a documentary about the refugee orphans stranded across Europe.
We heard stories from the children themselves that make a mark on your heart - of parents freezing to death on the treacherous journey over, of people smugglers who held children hostage until they were paid, and violence towards the children themselves in the very border camps that are supposed to keep them safe.
I watched it with an unsettling mix of feeling - devastated for their physical and emotional suffering, helpless in the face of such a huge humanitarian problem and grateful for my own children being safe and surrounded by people who love and protect them.
It makes sense to do something, however small, to contribute to helping ease some of the suffering. In the documentary, we met a teacher from Cambridge, Sadie Clasby, who at just 26 has set up a school with her mum in a migrant camp in Bulgaria, close to the Turkish border. She tells us that many of the children are so traumatised they've forgotten how to play. Sadie was totally inspirational and the children loved her. In the absence of being able to be present for these children, we would like to help fund those who can.
The next project of the Flourish Foundation is to support Syrian refugee children with Art Therapy. These children desperately need to express their feelings of trauma and experience adults who care for them, will show them love and teach how to play and have fun again.
Sammy Panduro, a professional dancer over in the UK for 3 months from San Diego, is offering her talents to teach a class of 5-10 year olds the joy of expression through dance. Her method is post-modern and interpretive - you could say 'anything goes' and what better way for children to express themselves than through free movement to music. In this expression of dance, there are no 'wrong moves'. By offering your child this opportunity you will be enhancing their lives as well as the children we aim to help in Syria.
We are asking for a minimum donation per attendee of just £10.
Thank you, with all my heart.
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