Overview
Homelike play spaces have been created to provide psychological support to Rohingya refugee children in Cox’s Bazar camp in Bangladesh, who have experienced severe trauma from persecution in Rakhine state, Myanmar. These spaces feature motifs, objects, and paintings that are familiar to Rohingya children, and playworkers, therapists, and community members use playful learning to help them process and recover from their experiences. The approach combines recovery and child protection through play in a culturally relevant setting that enhances the recovery process.
Location:
Cox’s Bazar refugee camp, Bangladesh
Organisation:
BRAC Institute of Educational Development
Partner organisations:
LEGO Foundation
Beneficiary:
Children aged 0-6
Scale of proximity:
Neighbourhood
Built environment component:
Community building
Design insights
Visual/Aesthetic:
Interior design features traditional motifs, objects and paintings significant to Rohingya culture, to create a reassuring homelike environment.
Process:
Refugee community engaged in developing both the space and the play strategies, for culturally relevant space, games and educational activities.
Implementation insights
When properly rooted in culture, the design of a therapeutic environment can contribute to psychological recovery from trauma as well as wellbeing and resilience building.
Links:
https://www.legofoundation.com/en/what-we-do/programmes-and-projects/play-labs-brac/
