By Faris Al Rifai; Translation by Yuisra Ahmed
(Zaman AL Wasl)- Bambino band, a voluntary band tries to help children in Western Gouta in Damascus to forget their pain and hard circumstances they have faced during the war.
The band performed about 40 shows in refugees’ gathering places like schools in Zakia, Morana and Moqailebiyeh, besides kindergartens in Khan al-sheikh.
Dia’a Assod, the band’s manager explains that his band is a youths' voluntary initiative works in Western Gouta in Damascus. “We devoted our effort to support children psychologically and emotionally to help them in getting over hard conditions they went through”
The band was formed before the Syrian revolution included 20 members, but now only 6 left , but that did not prevent the band from carrying on working even within the hard conditions, like lack of electricity and designated place for training and performing.
“Our work is charitable, as we coordinate with other local or external bodies to support our activities. We decorate the place or the basement, and bring the electricity generator, then call the children to enjoy the shows and activities” the manager details
Assod says that they do some puppets’ plays, and magic tricks, beside wearing big toys costumes like Barbie, Mickey Mouse, Fulla and others, beside face-painting, and teaching them some artistic hand work like dough.
“We do some competitive games like tug of war, the train, kites and throwing flying plates, in the end we distribute presents and toys to children” continues.
The manager denies any source of fund from any external body as they own the materials, and they pay from their own money to buy anything they need.
“Our budget is our insistence to achieve the goal we look forward, and helping children to be happy” proudly summarises.
However, he confesses that the band faces financial difficulties especially in the war condition, as the band needs to pay for vocal machines needed for children’s songs, presents’ prices, transporting, doles’ laundry, and rent cost for provide safe basements for children.
The manager confirms that band’s members do not need any money or salaries, all they want helping children be happy again and forget about the killing and explosive barrels.
“we do not mention anything about war in our shows, we try to find subjects able to help children to forget about their lost, like a killed relatives or destroyed houses or missing neighbourhood” the manager explains.
In the end Assod feels grateful for people’s attitude and helpfulness, beside their happiness and satisfaction with the shows and other activities the band performs.
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