The story of Crea Thera International

Crea Thera International is a non-profit organization that uses music and creativity as powerful tools for recovery, connection and resilience. Since 2006, the organization has developed projects for children, young people and adults in post-conflict and migration contexts, with particular attention to mental health and social cohesion.

The beginning in Srebrenica (2006–2008)

Crea Thera was founded in 2006 during a summer camp in Srebrenica, led by music therapist Thomas Deleu. Eleven years after the Bosnian war, the camp brought together children from different communities around a joint music theatre production. Creativity proved to be a unique way to rebuild trust, dialogue and a sense of connection.

This initiative led to several follow-up camps and, in 2008, to the establishment of Crea Thera International as a non-profit organization.

Creative therapy for children (2008–2010)

During its first years, the focus was on children from Srebrenica and surrounding villages. Through music, theatre, dance and visual arts, Crea Thera supported their emotional and personal development. Creative sessions were also organized in a refugee camp in Tuzla.

The work was carried out by international teams of therapists who periodically followed up on one another.

Expanding to adults (2010)

From 2010 onwards, Crea Thera expanded its activities to adults. In Srebrenica, creative workshops and psychotherapeutic group sessions were organized for women, guided by Bosnian psychotherapist Ajla Terzic. Despite the stigma surrounding mental health, Crea Thera continued to focus on accessibility, safety and inclusion.

New collaborations and target groups (2011–2015)

Between 2011 and 2013, Crea Thera organized music therapy for people struggling with drug addiction in Doboj.

From 2013 to 2015, the team worked in the child psychiatry department of the University Hospital in Sarajevo, where weekly creative therapy sessions were offered to children with complex psychological needs.

Towards sustainability and local roots (2016–2019)

In 2016, Crea Thera took an important step towards sustainability. With support from the Province of West Flanders, local workshop leaders were trained in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Projects such as Sources of Life and The Power of Creative Therapies in Destigmatizing People with Mental Health Disorders strengthened local expertise and continuity.

Due to organizational challenges, activities in Bosnia were temporarily scaled back in 2019, although music camps in mountain villages such as Osmace remained an important commitment.

Belgium: music as a bridge for newcomers (2016–present)

Since 2016, Crea Thera has also been active in Belgium. Through projects such as Music Home, the organization provides music therapy workshops for refugees and newcomers in reception centres and schools.

In 2024 and 2025, weekly sessions took place in various reception centres in Flanders and Brussels, with particular attention to children, young people and unaccompanied minors. Music functions as a universal language that reduces stress, creates connection and strengthens self-confidence.

Lebanon: creativity in a context of crisis (2019–present)

In 2019, Crea Thera started a collaboration with the Lebanese NGO LOYAC. Youth workers were trained in basic music therapy skills to support vulnerable children and young people.

In 2023, the music theatre project I SEE YOU was launched in Beirut. Through music and theatre, young people were given a safe space to process experiences of war, loss and uncertainty.

Despite escalating violence and an extremely precarious situation, Crea Thera remained active in 2024 and 2025 with emergency projects and creative programmes. The I SEE YOU performances provided not only healing for participants, but also touched a wider audience.

At the same time, Crea Thera is preparing a new project in Lebanon for 2026.

Return and renewed focus in Bosnia (2024–2025)

In 2024 and 2025, Crea Thera strengthened its presence in Bosnia again through projects in Osmace and Vlasenica. As part of the 30th anniversary of Srebrenica, the organization worked in 2025 with primary school children in Osmace on intensive music theatre programmes focusing on memory, identity and connection with their village. The programmes concluded with performances for the local community.

In addition, several music therapy sessions were organized at the psychiatric centre in Vlasenica.

Today and tomorrow

From its origins in Srebrenica, Crea Thera International continues to build bridges between the past and the future. By using music and creativity as a universal language, the organization creates space for recovery, dialogue and hope — in Belgium, Bosnia and Lebanon, and together with local communities.