Twenty Somalian , Albanian and Malaysian origin children released stress and had fun in the ART Excel course that ran from 12th-16th April in Berrymead Junior School situated in a council estate in Acton, West London. ART Excel (All Round Training in Excellence) is specifically designed for children aged between 8-14 years old.
This is the first of two courses offered at London and rsquo;s Berrymede Schools where many children of the Somalian, Albanian and Burmese asylum seekers are housed after arriving in the UK. These children are mostly the first generation to speak English and grow up in the British culture. They grow up amidst their parents and rsquo; bewilderment, fear, frustration and sometimes hopelessness as their parents begin to find their bearings in the UK. In 2008 total 25,670 people applied for asylum, but until they receive a positive decision their prospects of finding jobs are dismal, leaving them in a tense situation.
The 30 hour course is highly effective, through art, dance, music, sports, yoga, games and unique breathing techniques, the children were able to release mental and emotional stresses while learning new skills to handle stresses and promote friendliness.
The children performed drama on human values (specifically about overcoming peer pressure) and sang songs for parents and friends. Also they each planted a tree in a nearby community space as part of their community service project. The Head teacher Lubna Khan said and ldquo;The children really enjoyed the course and rdquo;. She found them to be much calmer and focused after the course. After the breathing exercises the 7-8 year olds comments ranged from and ldquo;I felt deep peace and rdquo;, I was floating in an ocean and rdquo;, and ldquo;I was so relaxed, I fell asleep and rdquo;, and ldquo;I have more energy and focus and rdquo;, and ldquo;I felt really happy and rested and rdquo;.
ART Excel teacher Su Bowerman commented, and ldquo;The positive change in the children from the beginning of the week to the end of the week was noticeable and ndash; they were more joyous, settled, constructive, cohesive, and their teamwork had improved. The lazy ones were getting into yoga to improve fitness, the aggressive ones were becoming more compassionate and balanced, and the shy ones were coming forward and sharing with the group more and rdquo;.
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