Welcome to another post of the We Are The World Blogfest #WATWB. For this month we have fabulous co-hosts yet again.
Sylvia McGrath, Peter Nena, Shilpa Garg, Eric Lahti and Belinda McGrath Witzenhausen.
I always seem to be late with posts these days. But here we go.
A music teacher is “helping refugees to heal their trauma through song” as reported by Sandra Fulloon from SBS News.
“Bashar Hanna fled Iraq after the war and later set up a choir for others who have left their homelands. Amid the lasting mental health impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, he says he’s doing what he can to help.”
A choir member, Rula, is humming what turns out to be a tune “called Mother Earth, the lyrics describe living in peace, without war.”
The theme resonates with teacher, Bashar, and his student, Rula. Having both fled Bagdad as refugees it is consoling for them. This is because the COVID lockdowns led to these refugees reliving some of the traumas of the Gulf War.
So… Bashar “founded several art-based therapy groups including The Choir of Love, which partners with STARTTS, the NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors.”
“Music, from my point of view, is a very powerful tool; it’s a language.” BASHAR HANNA
You can read more of the SBS news report about Bashar, Rula and others here.
The We Are The World Blogfest started around this time a few years ago and has continued on most months of each year. Please check out posts by our co-hosts and others. You can also follow #WATWB on all the main social media.
I don’t need to post a poem this time around as music is a poetic medium. We are so glad it is too!
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Simon's still stanza 
Hi Simon – perfect #WATWB post … music inspires us all in some way – while Bashar, the founder, and Rula his student will be mentors to so many other refugees, friends and associates – what a wonderful way to help people meet and join in to their community.
I’m way behind with mine … coming up shortly! These #We Are The World Blogposts highlighting benefits to the world and those of us who live in it … stay safe – Hilary
Thanks Hilary. I just loved this. Not only for the music (good enough in itself) but because of the healing and companionship it offers who who have experienced life as traumatised refugees.
What a wonderful thing to do and a wonderful story to share. Music is a powerful language. It’s good to see it being used for healing. Thanks Simon. And, selfishly, thanks for being late, I’ll be joining later today 😏
It is good to see it used for healing, Dan. I too am kind of glad you were late. But, I did happen to notice the “train arrive at the station”.
🙂
An amazing story thanks Simon, and many kudos to Bashar for this initiative. Music is well known to be therapeutic, even humming to one’s self is said to be good.
Oh yes, Susan, and I’m an old hand at humming and singing to myself.
Music is a wondrous thing. Unfortunately the beginning and ending of musical talent is pushing play. Good for this guy using music to heal people.
I hope you keep pressing play though, Eric.
In my humble opinion, it is never too late to share positive stories. Music is a wonderful source of healing for so many. Thanks for sharing this story and for being a part of #WATWB.
And your humble opinion is most welcome, Ashlynn. Thank you.
Great post Simon! Being married to a musician and being around musicians all of my life has definitely helped me see first hand the healing benefits of music! Thanks so much for sharing this and for being a part of #WATWB 🙂 Hope you have a fantastic week! Stay safe and be well.
Well fancy you knowing about music, Belinda! Oh yes, from my earliest years it was in my ears. Even as a very young boy, playing with Matchbox cars on the floor, I’d hear my big brother’s music. I was long familiar with the sounds of The Beatles, ELO, Elton John, Deep Purple, The Bee Gees, Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles quite a while before I even knew the names of the bands themselves. But I also love this story because it helps heal trauma, and helps find refugees a voice and a home.
What a wonderful initiative.