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Teens work to 'change community together' through theatre

By Ana V. Ibáñez Prieto - Mar 29,2018 - Last updated at Mar 29,2018

AMMAN — A volunteering team of teenagers is aspiring to change the atmosphere inside Azmi Mufti refugee camp through “Let’s Change it Together”, an initiative aimed at fighting issues taking place at schools and in environments surrounding children through interactive theatre, group games and awareness sessions. 

Founded in November 2017, the initiative emerged as an output of one of the life skills training implemented by the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD) in cooperation with UNICEF, which aimed to develop the capacities of youth to contribute to the development of their communities. 

“The theatre performances interpreted by the volunteers address issues such as school violence, racism, gender discrimination or early marriage,” coordinator of the initiative Ahmed Shtayat told The Jordan Times, noting that the plays are ultimately presented to decision makers to create an impact within the community. 

“The selection of the themes is done according to the most pressing issues happening within the camp,” the activist pointed out, stressing that the problems addressed in the plays are “in dire need of a solution, and our aim is to shed light on them”.

“My participation in this initiative has changed my life both at the personal and social level,” 17-year-old volunteer Mutaz Khalid told The Jordan Times, noting that the project has helped him “find new ways to deal with the issues affecting the community”.

“When I play my part and I see my peers interacting to solve the issues that affect us, I am filled with this wonderful spirit,” he added, expressing hopes for the initiative to “convey a positive image of the camp and its youth”.

The team is composed of teenagers from 16 to 18 years old who “aim to deliver a message for the communities to help youth develop their abilities and use their potential to initiate a positive change in the society”, Shtayat said. 

Through several partnerships with civil society organisations in the area of Bani Obaid, the initiative has now established new activities in Aydoun and Ramtha (Irbid), and it now aims to reach all parts of the province during the following year, according to Shtayat. 

Co-founder of the initiative Ali Jamel Salahat recalled: “It started with small plays, but kept on evolving to change ourselves and the community at the camp; I hope that the project will continue growing."

The initiative was also beneficial for volunteer Shorooq Sarhan, who stressed that the plays have helped her develop social her social skills and better communicate with the society. But the real added value for her was “the way in which it helps girls within our community express their own views about some issues and deliver them to the society”. 

"There are still a number of negative behaviours that we need to change,” the volunteer stressed.

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