Yoga program at Malawi refugee camp aims to aid trauma recovery
6 reported
At the Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi, yoga has become a popular activity for the people living there, according to an NPR report. The camp was founded in 1994 amid the Rwandan genocide and now houses refugees from conflicts throughout central and Eastern Africa. Donatien Fundi, one of the camp's 60,000 refugees, said he was introduced to yoga by a therapist for rehabilitation and recovery from past trauma. Fundi sought formal training and connected with Daniel Max, a teacher in Boston, who began working with him one-on-one. The program has since grown to include a community yoga studio with classes for children, teenagers, and adults, as well as a school outreach program. Fundi described yoga as a tool for healing, empowerment, and personal growth, stating it is "the only medicine that help people to recover from the trauma."
What’s reported
The Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi was founded in 1994 amid the Rwandan genocide.
The camp is home to 60,000 refugees fleeing conflicts throughout central and Eastern Africa.
Donatien Fundi was introduced to yoga by a therapist for rehabilitation and recovery from past trauma.
Fundi connected with yoga teacher Daniel Max, who lives in Boston, to receive formal training.
The program now operates a community yoga studio with children's, teenagers', and adult classes, plus a school outreach program.
Fundi said yoga is "more than a luxury" and "the only medicine" for trauma recovery, empowerment, and personal growth at the camp.
Key figures
Donatien Fundi: refugee at Dzaleka Camp who introduced yoga to others
Daniel Max: yoga teacher based in Boston who trained Fundi
Sources: NPR
