2017-2019

MOVING BEYOND TRAUMA

2017-2019

SWISS ACADEMY FOR DEVELOPMENT

The Swiss Academy for Development (SAD) uses sport and play to empower disadvantaged children to become healthy, educated, and employed citizens. We funded a pilot programme with the aim of testing sport and play techniques as effective coping strategies for healing trauma in Myanmar’s Karen communities.

www.sad.ch

CHALLENGE

Even before the military coup of 2021, Myanmar’s climate of fear and insecurity and culture of silence, impunity, and acceptance made it a difficult place to live for many people. Karen’s women, who had experienced years of trauma, abuse and forced labour, were left with no psychological support and see themselves as a “lost generation”.

ACTION

Working with the Karen Women Empowerment Group in seven villages of the Taungoo township in Kayin State, SAD used physical activities, traditional dance, yoga, play and drawing to address the psychological consequences of trauma and allow women and young people to heal. Participants had the opportunity to explore important coping and communication mechanisms – often for the very first time – in a relaxed, supportive atmosphere.

To help improve participants’ economic stability, SAD also provided seed capital and facilitated the creation of saving and loans groups. To support young victims of violence, the organisation also facilitated legal support.

IMPACT

SAD shared this pilot programme techniques with development practitioners and researchers in and outside Myanmar. The extremely high participation rates and positive feedback received confirmed the importance of the intervention.

800

WOMEN

learnt how to recognise trauma and its effects on their lives

NEW SMALL BUSINESSES

created with seed capital

SAVING AND LOAN GROUPS

established