CAPITAL CULTURAL SCENE: Activities to overcome trauma of the great tragedy

Discussing the earthquake the other day with a colleague, we acquiesced at the idea of being part of a devastating time that will go down in the annals of history and our grand children reading about it in the text books might question us on the details of eye witness accounts.
Although, right now it doesn't feel as if we have lived through a historic moment. Amidst the relief efforts, people are thronging to the markets for Eid shopping. However, what every one is intending to celebrate in this hour of grief is any body's guess.

****************Art of Living foundation has organized a number of Sudarshan Kriya courses to work out all this earthquake stress and anxiety. The Art of Living and IAHV (the service arm of AoL www.iahv.org) has started its relief efforts in Balakot. Ann Godwin the teacher from Afghanistan has trained many AoL members as teachers of a very powerful trauma release and community rehabilitation course, advanced trauma counseling and neurological release techniques - giving Pakistan a core group that can play an effective role in the relief efforts. As a group it can make a big difference.
The IAHV has a South Asia Earthquake Relief fund raising account and anyone can donate via this channel. The IAHV has already committed $ 100 K for these efforts.
AoL and IAHV are working to get tents and blankets from across the border (Wagah border), so that these can be distributed amongst the displaced and homeless people. A number of courses are being organized by AoL volunteers in Islamabad and the surrounding areas.
These courses are taught to aid workers, medical staff and affectee comprising 2 hours sessions of bhastrika, mediatiana and health/prana awakening and acts as a stress management programme as well as an intro course for people to take the Part 1 course.
People all over this region are much stressed and are looking for a solution. Visas are being arranged for a number of teachers to come to Pakistan for teaching the AoL course.
Once the Part 2 teacher is available, then he/she will immediately take the Part 1 graduates through the Part 2 course. AoL is slowly but surely creating an awakening in Pakistan--by providing a means to find ones incredible power within through the Art of Living course and the Sudarshan Kriya.
Long term goals of the foundation are to build model communities. Shahnaz, a volunteer is working on a project to use new technology for building earthquake proof homes with natural eco-friendly materials such as earth, wind and fire.
Expertise and knowledge will be shared with regard to creating sustainable incomes and agriculture for these mountain people to rebuild their livelihoods.
The slogan of the foundation is, " Let's convert this tragedy into an opportunity to build a better future. Let's do something that will have real impact. Let's empower the people."
****************Another event that I covered was a panel discussion on "An Emotional Trauma" which was organized by Rozan and sponsored by Glaxo Smith Kline. The panel discussion focused on emotional and psychological impact of the earthquake on the survivors, witness and on the general public.
Suffering from a psychological trauma of any kind need not be seen as completely "devastating" and "shattering". It may appear as such for a long time, but it is important to realize that support, treatment and healing is possible.The panel discussion was on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD as it is commonly known, since this is a disorder, which many trauma victims go through.
Other individuals such as witnesses of such a disaster may also suffer from it and its symptoms may be seen in both adults and children. Panelists discussed the following: symptoms of PTSD; impact on the individual's life and functioning and treating the disorder.
The programme schedule included registration, a brief introduction and discussion by eminent personalities such as Dr Aftab Khan (psychiatrist); Dr. Fareed A Minhas (psychiatrist) and Zehra Kamal (child psychologist).
An interactive question and answer session followed the panel discussion. The evening culminated with Iftar. It was an interesting event with a goodly gathering of people attending it.
Rozan, an NGO, was instrumental in organizing this seminar. It has been continuously involved in conducting training workshops for volunteers so that they can provide psycho-social first aid to the victims in the hospitals.
Its mission is to "enhance the self-esteem of all people, especially women and children, in order to work towards a society which is aware, confident and accepting of itself and other."
Rozan is working on issues related to emotional health, gender and violence against women and children. Many of the Rozan professionals have been pioneers in this field, having worked on these issues for several years.
The children's programme, Aangan, began functioning in 1993, but Rozan itself was officially established in December 1998. There are currently five programmes at Rozan: Aangan, Zeest, Pehchaan, Rabta and the Youth Help Line.
Change in the community begins with the growth of the individuals within it. Rozan addresses the issues of emotional health in general, and self esteem in particular. It can help people realize their potential in ways meaningful to themselves and society.
Self-reflection and self-growth are cross-cutting themes in all of Rozan's activities. Gender based discrimination; violence and abuse are serious issues in Pakistani society that need to be addressed. To bring about a constructive change in any society, the people living in it must be sensitive to its issues, own them, get involved and participate actively in order to overcome them.
Rozan believes in this struggle and envisions a model of cooperation with other community members. Community participation at all levels is encouraged and valued.
The week ended with the culmination of Ramazan and the advent of winter. Eid seems to be a time for reflection in realizing ones limitations in the face of such natural calamities.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2005