Bidna Capoeira: Strengthening Communities Through Sport, Music, and Play

What is Bidna Capoeira

Bidna Capoeira is a new NGO, aiming to improve the wellbeing of children and communities by teaching capoeira.

The idea began last year at Al-Tanf Refugee Camp in Syria. Capoeira gave a safe and healthy outlet for the people to express their anger and emotion. All ages were involved in playing and singing which had a harmonising effect on the community.

UNICEF were impressed; a report on their website recognises the change of energy at the camp and the program's significant psycho-social benefits.

Now we want to do more: Our Mission

Playing in the rodaKids playing capoeira

Our mission is to use capoeira
as a platform for community development, social education, and physical and psycho-social wellbeing.

We aim to complete 25 projects, and have 10 schools running sustainably within five years.

Where we began

CapoeirArab

Bidna Capoeira was born out of the success of our sister organistaion, CapoeirArab.

CapoeirArab has improved the lives of thousands of children in Syria through capoeira, most notably at Al-Tanf Refugee Camp.

Our growing team of volunteers formed in Damascus at the end of 2009 in order to bring capoeira to more families in underserved communities.

With a mix of experience and enthusiasm, we aim to realise our dream for strengthening communities through sport, music and play.

We are currently registering our NGO with the Charities Commission in the UK. To find out more follow us on Twitter or join our mailing list.

A short film on the inspiring work of our sister organisation CapoeirArab. Read more on the UNICEF website.

What is Capoeira?

Roda de Capoeira (c) Jo Yumegari

Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian sport and art-form blending ritualised fighting, dance, acrobatics, music and rhythm.

The capoeira philosophy is based on respect; there are no winners, no losers. It's a group activity where people play and learn together.

Capoeira is a way of expressing love for life, one that is characterised by spirituality, playfulness, fun, risk, challenge, failure and success.

For a better idea watch our Al-Tanf success story.

Contact us

If you are interested in helping us, sponsoring or have any questions email us at info@bidnacapoeira.org

Key contacts

Tarek 'Laranja' Alsaleh
Chairman
+963 933 925 704
Ummul 'Sohiza' Choudhury
Director of Fundraising
+963 988 537 269
Bidna Capoeira Mail

Join our mailing list

Join our mailing list and we will send you updates on our progress every month or so.

Please email us and we'll keep you updated.

info@bidnacapoeira.org