Articles and Interviews - Duncan Visits Albania With War Child Effort
WASHINGTON, May 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Grammy-nominated, Atlantic Records artist Duncan Sheik arrived in Albania this week to help inaugurate War Child's mobile music therapy program for young Kosovar refugees.
Sheik is accompanying War Child USA Director Tom Ehr on the mission to bring music into the lives of Kosovar refugee children. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) will assist their efforts with logistical support on the ground in Albania. War Child will soon deploy several mobile music therapy buses to the region, staffed with trained therapists who will use music to help children with the trauma they have suffered.
Developed by War Child and supported by the Dutch National Lottery, these units also will incorporate art therapy, drama, dance, and recreational activities. War Child hopes that the units eventually will be able to assist the children upon their return home to Kosovo.
"Music is not just a wonderful escape for these children, but used effectively can help them recover from the lasting effects of the trauma they have encountered in their homeland," Ehr said. "With the support of Duncan Sheik, we will get this important program off to a positive start and will help bring some immediate joy into the lives of these children."
Equipped with small musical instruments for the children, Sheik and Ehr will visit refugee children in several of the camps in and around the Albanian capital of Tirana, and also plan to travel to the border crossing of Kukes. They are also bringing guitars for older Kosovar musicians in the camps, who they hope will accompany Sheik during a concert in one of the camps toward the end of the trip.
"I'm honored that War Child has asked me to help them with their efforts in bringing relief to the crisis in Kosovo," Sheik said. "I feel it's very important that we understand what's happening in the region and through the healing power of music do whatever we can to stop the suffering of children."
War Child has been instrumental in helping to bring vital supplies to the Kosovar refugees, funding transports of food, medicine and other necessities to the refugee camps. It is also focusing on the long-term educational and psychological needs of the children.
About War Child USA:
War Child USA is the newest member of the five-year-old War Child family, which raises vital funds and public awareness for children around the world suffering from the ravages of war, the legacy of war and all other forms of violence. Known for creative and rapid-fire response initiatives, War Child creates innovative programs that help children in dire circumstances, both during and after conflicts.
Domestically, War Child USA is working with other organizations to identify, devise, and implement new initiatives for at-risk youth in high-violence areas in the U.S., focusing on creative alternatives to violence such as music, arts, sports, and skills training.
War Child was founded in 1993 to provide aid to children in Bosnia and now provides emergency relief in war zones throughout the world. It is supported by many in the entertainment community including official patrons David Bowie, Brian Eno, Tom Stoppard, Brent Hansen and Luciano Pavarotti.
For more information on War Child USA and its relief efforts for Kosovo refugees:
Visit http://www.warchildusa.org
Tax-deductible donations should be sent to:
War Child USA
2437 15th Street, N.W.
Washington DC 20009
(Checks should be made out to War Child USA)
SOURCE War Child USA
CO: War Child USA
ST: District of Columbia
IN: ENT
SU:
05/25/99 10:36 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
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