Tania Safi
Journaliste femme

Australienne

For World Refugee Day and International Day of Yoga, I wanted to release a video about @koun.ngo - the only NGO in Lebanon that travels to refugee camps offering free yoga to men, women and children of all ages. From those living in tents, to domestic workers in Jounieh, Sandy believes that yoga is one of the most beneficial practices for those suffering from trauma, and all she wants is to make that knowledge accessible.

For a lot of people around the world, yoga is a practice that is available in studios, on apps or online. For displaced communities or children suffering from psychological traumas, it is extremely beneficial to coping with stress, to obtaining mindfulness and sometimes simply just be able to move their body. I have visited so many camps and settlements at this stage and while a lot of NGO's are focusing on immediate aid and needs, it was amazing to also meet Sandy who is focusing on long term healing and practices that are helping in sustainable ways.

More more information, please visit https://www.instagram.com/koun.ngo/

Directed, produced and edited by @taniasafi

DOP in Akkar by @sandra.boutros or www.sandraboutros.com

Filmed in Akkar with NGO https://www.instagram.com/mishwarngo/ who also run art and music activities with refugee children

Music by Circle @radisafi

Maya was only 25 when she started @foodblessed, a local hunger relief and food rescue initiative run by a group of volunteers with a passion and will to fight hunger in Lebanon. After many people in her life begged her to stop and to get a job instead, Maya knew what was right and decided to help families and people who weren't so privleged. FoodBlessed don't turn anyone away, whether it's a meal for Iftar or to distribute food kits to the homeless or refugees, their belief is that everyone deserves love and kindness just as much as they need something on their plates. And they're right.
In the time FoodBlessed has been running, they have managed to partner with restaurants, events, grocery stores and more to help collect food that would otherwise end up in a landfill. And if that's not enough, Maya also runs beach clean ups, plants trees and hosts talks about sustainability and climate change!
FoodBlessed accept volunteers both locally and those visiting Lebanon. All it takes is your time and a smile. I'm with Maya in believing that everyone can make this world a better place, from sharing your skills to your time or just listening to someone that needs to be heard. We are all equal. Big respect to this crew and to any future volunteers.

Follow @taniasafi

For more information on how to donate or volunteer, visit http://foodblessed.org

Music by Circle

I'm going to share something really personal for this one. I used to live in Tripoli. While I lived there, a war broke out and left me absolutely shattered as a person. I only lived that conflict for a few months but it took years to overcome the anxiety and PTSD. For those who have never experienced war, you can only imagine or read about the immediate affects, but the long-term toll can be just as horrific. In the 3-months that I've been living back in Lebanon, I've spoken to many kids who saw their own parents being killed. Now, war-affected kids around the world have to deal with not only what they've seen and heard, but the aftermath of what that violence and fear has done to them and their community. They don't have access to treatment or money for anti-depressants and for some regions of the world, foreigners are too afraid to set foot where they live, meaning they receive little aid and end up feeling completely abandoned. That's why I was so moved to hear about IAHV Peacebuilding in Tripoli. They are a mix of volunteers from Tripoli and the world who refuse to give up on these kids and after speaking to so many of the youths who attend, their happiness and appreciation for this NGO was palpable. They are from many regions, many religions and identities, and they are all welcome. Yoga, meditation and calming techniques that you and I are used to just don't exist in this region, so it's incredible to see how receptive they and their families are of new things that are helping improve their life. Some of the kids you're about to see are orphans or have seen some unimaginable realities. Permission was given to film the ones you can see, but please respect that it took a lot of guts and courage for them to speak on camera.

By @taniasafi

Check out more @iahvpeacebuildinglebanon or www.iahv-peace.org
Camera assist Rachelle Hair
Music by @radisafi

Clips from Thames Lebanon Civil War 1983
Wochit Lebanon Army Fights Gunmen In Tripoli For Second Day 2014

About half the world's population will get their period at some point, yet it still remains one of the most taboo subjects across the globe. It's even more difficult and potentially life-threatening for girls and women who are displaced, homeless or refugees and who do not have access to menstrual products or hygiene. We spent time with Days for Girls, who are trying to combat this shame and inaccessibility by creating pads that last for three years. Watch as they distribute their handmade sustainable menstrual kits and provide sex and health education to vulnerable Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinians living in Lebanon.

For more information, visit https://www.daysforgirls.org

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Music by Circle - What Have I Done Radio Rub