What is "Singing to the Lions?"

Singing to the Lions (STL) is a free training package (facilitator’s guide, supplement and video) by Catholic Relief Services, that is designed to help children and youth lessen the impact of violence and abuse in their lives. The training materials are available in 12 languages with more forthcoming. Singing to the Lions has been used in more 25 countries – and continues to spread.

 

The main component is a three-day (or six half-day) workshop where young people ages 10-24 learn skills that can help them transform their lives and no longer feel dominated by fear. Although the workshops were designed for youth and include games, art, and songs, the program 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. 

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Singing to the Lions is available in twelve languages, with Turkish in progress, on the CRS website. There is also a 2-page guide to follow-up activities (English, French, Spanish, and Arabic) that is strongly recommended to reinforce the workshop’s lessons and skills, for example in an after-school or club setting. Singing to the Lions 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.) Finally, there are full-length supplements in most of the languages plus data entry sheets to download, which are intended to be used with the main manual, along with a 20-minute training video (English only).