Analysis Of Sophie C. Yohani's Creating An Ecology Of Hope
In order to answer my research question, I conducted my own primary research based on the aforementioned methods of creative intervention. Part of my research was done at African Hope, an African learning center in working class Maadi. I frequented the center over the duration of the semester and decided to conduct my test by simply using different art mediums to let the children freely create whatever they wanted. Oddly enough I found that contrary to what most of the research regarding art therapy had dictated, almost none of the children depicted scenes of war etc., however this was probably largely due to the fact that the personal bond needed between the children and I did not have much time to grow strong due to constant changes
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Yohani’s “Creating an Ecology of Hope: Arts-based Interventions with Refugee Children." explores art as a medium of intervention with refugee children and how it can work at instilling hope in them, and how in turn through their work they formed connections and bonds, not only with their peers but also with their parents and teachers, as through the intervention process carried out they found out that it also worked on transferring the hope to the adults as well. Yohani also explores different forms of Art and their uses during the study, such as phototherapy as a means of reflection (316). After careful analysis of the data I had access to, it is evident that the arts themselves have immensely powerful effects when applied in refugee camps, whether in helping in alleviating some psychological and emotional stress, providing a creative use of time, strengthening relationships and building hope, emphasizing a sense of power and control, giving a sense of belonging (Awet 69), or any one of the countless ways in which it can benefit refugees. However, although Art Therapy would be extremely beneficial to African refugee children in Egypt, it is not viable to say that actual Art Therapy would be a suitable method of therapy for these children in Egypt because there are less than a handful of art therapists in Cairo, unless one could be found that would be willing to volunteer. Yet until then, practicing arts without the psychoanalytic side to it could help in
Yohani’s “Creating an Ecology of Hope: Arts-based Interventions with Refugee Children." explores art as a medium of intervention with refugee children and how it can work at instilling hope in them, and how in turn through their work they formed connections and bonds, not only with their peers but also with their parents and teachers, as through the intervention process carried out they found out that it also worked on transferring the hope to the adults as well. Yohani also explores different forms of Art and their uses during the study, such as phototherapy as a means of reflection (316). After careful analysis of the data I had access to, it is evident that the arts themselves have immensely powerful effects when applied in refugee camps, whether in helping in alleviating some psychological and emotional stress, providing a creative use of time, strengthening relationships and building hope, emphasizing a sense of power and control, giving a sense of belonging (Awet 69), or any one of the countless ways in which it can benefit refugees. However, although Art Therapy would be extremely beneficial to African refugee children in Egypt, it is not viable to say that actual Art Therapy would be a suitable method of therapy for these children in Egypt because there are less than a handful of art therapists in Cairo, unless one could be found that would be willing to volunteer. Yet until then, practicing arts without the psychoanalytic side to it could help in