The power of music: Kokomo’s Erica Rumbley teaches Yazidi refugees in Greece
Part - 2
The refugees, their home is gone. A lot of them, their families are gone. And they’re stuck in these little camps just waiting. They can be there for five years or even 10 years. … And I think that’s why the music and the outlet for them is so important because it gives them something to work for and just a little bit of hope while they’re waiting. Because music really is a universal language, Rumbley noted, one that transcends races, religions, cultures and nationalities.
“It’s just so neat to be able to hear music together,” - she said. “One night, we had Yazidi circle dances, and it was just fun to be able to participate in their culture, to see the way that musical traditions might be a little bit different but also unifying.” And while musical scales and notes are important, it’s more about fostering human connections, Rumbley added.
“I think for them, it’s just really important to know that someone from the outside world actually cares about them and their situations. … Most of the refugees in Greece are in a really difficult situation because a lot of the Greek people really don’t want them there. They’ve been kind of stuck, and the European Union is not letting them in either. So just for people to come and say, ‘We care about you’ is so valuable.”
Rumbley then sat up in her chair and paused a moment before talking about how easy it is for someone else to do what she did for the Yazidis, to provide a daily bit of hope to those who are struggling.
“I feel like sometimes we’re just so divided,” -she said. “But sometimes it’s just about finding somebody who’s different from you are and just sharing friendship. Even if you’re not teaching something, just to share that friendship. … It’s maybe about just realizing that even if you have different beliefs, God created everybody, and we’re all equal in that.
“There’s so much we have in common,” -she added. “So maybe we should all just reach out and take that step, whether it’s with a refugee or even just with someone living across the street.”
tribstar.com
Tags: #yazidisinfo #yezidinews #aboutyazidi #ezidi
The power of music: Kokomo’s Erica Rumbley teaches Yazidi refugees in Greece
Part - 2
The refugees, their home is gone. A lot of them, their families are gone. And they’re stuck in these little camps just waiting. They can be there for five years or even 10 years. … And I think that’s why the music and the outlet for them is so important because it gives them something to work for and just a little bit of hope while they’re waiting. Because music really is a universal language, Rumbley noted, one that transcends races, religions, cultures and nationalities.
“It’s just so neat to be able to hear music together,” - she said. “One night, we had Yazidi circle dances, and it was just fun to be able to participate in their culture, to see the way that musical traditions might be a little bit different but also unifying.” And while musical scales and notes are important, it’s more about fostering human connections, Rumbley added.
“I think for them, it’s just really important to know that someone from the outside world actually cares about them and their situations. … Most of the refugees in Greece are in a really difficult situation because a lot of the Greek people really don’t want them there. They’ve been kind of stuck, and the European Union is not letting them in either. So just for people to come and say, ‘We care about you’ is so valuable.”
Rumbley then sat up in her chair and paused a moment before talking about how easy it is for someone else to do what she did for the Yazidis, to provide a daily bit of hope to those who are struggling.
“I feel like sometimes we’re just so divided,” -she said. “But sometimes it’s just about finding somebody who’s different from you are and just sharing friendship. Even if you’re not teaching something, just to share that friendship. … It’s maybe about just realizing that even if you have different beliefs, God created everybody, and we’re all equal in that.
“There’s so much we have in common,” -she added. “So maybe we should all just reach out and take that step, whether it’s with a refugee or even just with someone living across the street.”
tribstar.com
Tags: #yazidisinfo #yezidinews #aboutyazidi #ezidi
