Singing to the Lions

By Jonathan Brakarsh, with Lucy Steinitz

Singing to the Lions is a free training package (facilitator’s guide, supplement and video) by CRS, that is designed to help children and youth lessen the impact of violence and abuse in their lives. It has been used in 20 countries – and growing. The main component is a three-day (or six half-day) workshop where participants ages 10-24 learn skills that can help them transform their lives and no longer feel dominated by fear. Although the workshop is aimed at young people and includes games, art and songs, it can also be used to help adults take action on aspects of their lives that cause fear and, in so doing, become better parents and caregivers. (A one day version for older youth and adults is also available and is called Rising from Resilient Roots)

Singing to the Lions is available in ten languages, with Ndebele and Shona in progress. See the links on the left-hand column. It can be easily adapted to different cultures, with different pictures and metaphors (e.g., “Singing to the Wolves” in Arabic; “Charming the Snakes” in Hindi.) The supplement and data entry sheets, which are intended to be used with the guide, are also available to download, along with this 20-minute training video (English only): 

ENGLISH

• English guide (PDF, 84 pages)
• English supplement (PDF, 20 pages)
• English handout (PDF, 2 pages)
• English data entry sheet (Excel file, 5 sheets)
• English video (20:35)

SPANISH

• Spanish guide (PDF, 84 pages)
• Spanish supplement (PDF, 2 pages)
• Spanish handout (PDF, 2 pages)

FRENCH

• French guide (PDF, 84 pages)
• French supplement (PDF, 20 pages)

ARABIC

• Arabic guide (PDF, 84 pages)
• Arabic supplement (PDF, 20 pages)

HINDI

• Hindi guide (PDF, 87 pages)

UKRANIAN

• Ukranian guide (PDF, 88 pages)
• Ukranian supplement (PDF, 20 pages)

RUSSIAN

• Russian guide (PDF, 88 pages)
• Russian supplement (PDF, 20 pages)

POLISH

• Polish guide (PDF, 88 pages)
• Polish supplement (PDF, 20 pages)

HUNGARIAN

• Hungarian guide (PDF, 88 pages)
• Hungarian supplement (PDF, 20 pages)

ROMANIAN

• Romanian guide (PDF, 88 pages)
• Romanian supplement (PDF, 20 pages)

For more information, contact [email protected].