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       On 27 January, beneficiaries attended a workshop on stress management at RCTV Memoria, aimed specifically at survivors of recent torture. The purpose of the meeting was to provide them with relevant information and tools to face and effectively manage stress experienced daily in their live, in part as a consequence of the torture they were subjected to.

       Our beneficiaries were in good spirits as they arrived to our centre. For them, RCTV Memoria is a refuge, a place of hope and trust as they are supported by our dedicated staff in rebuilding their lives after trauma.

       Participants were provided with information regarding how stress can manifest, main strategies to confront it - summarized as a multidimensional model of overcoming stress. This happened in the best stress-free way possible: by watching not one, but two short animation movies, with laughter guaranteed!

      The highlight of the workshop came in the form of the interactive “Paiangeniş” exercise. One person held a ball of colourful wool at the centre of the room, representing time, while participants each held one line of thread while naming a source of stress in their lives. Afterwards, the person holding the ball began to turn, imitating the arms of a clock, and participants suggested a strategy to tackle their stress factor, based on the new knowledge acquired. In doing so, they also released their thread, symbolically committing themselves to eliminating this stress from their lives.

       Participants were enthusiastic and talkative, happy to learn and to contribute towards the dialogue within the group. A warm cup of tea concluded the evening’s work. According to the feedback received, it is safe to state that participants went home not only feeling more self-confident about their ability to handle stress but also looking forward to participate in similar future activities which foster contact and the exchange of ideas between people and ultimately build a sense of trust and belonging.

This workshop is part of the plan of activities within a project implemented by RCTV Memoria with the financial support of La Luz Grants 2015.

Author: Margarida Hourmat,

EVS volunteer at RCTV Memoria