Emotional regulation for Tots of Ritsona Camp

The Ritsona refugee camp is currently the largest camp in Greece, hosting more than 2,300 refugees and asylum seekers, 40% of whom are under 18 years old. Lighthouse Relief runs four different psychosocial support programs for children and young adults in the camp. In 2016, the organization established a Child-Friendly Space for children aged three to five to learn through play in a safe environment. While many of the children at Ritsona Camp have experienced traumatic situations and have been exposed to many issues at camp, it is important to provide them with the tools to recognize their emotions in order to manage them appropriately.

Therefore, with the support of Give a Hand, emotional regulation workshops will be added to the activities of the Child-Friendly Space.  The activities of this program will allow children to recognize, name and manage basic emotions (anger, sadness, joy) in others and in themselves. The regulation and management of strong emotions helps to reduce disruptive and inappropriate behaviours. Workshops will include activities to relax muscles and recognize tension in the body, activities to express emotions, breathing and self-management activities, and finally, love and compassion activities between self and others.

Partnership between Give a Hand and Lighthouse Relief

Lighthouse Relief is a non-political, non-religious organization whose values are dignity, adaptability and accountability. It conducts programs that welcome all refugee communities and aim to promote a sense of empowerment and well-being. This Emotional Regulation project is a first experience of partnership between Give a Hand and Lighthouse Relief. It is hoped that this is the beginning of a beautiful and constructive collaboration.