Ethiopia #2: Trauma Healing for Refugees

Mary Nyajuok John Palek from Jewi Refugee camp. She came to the first session of the Audio training in June and was VERY pregnant. Now she's back with her first-born, son Boi (meaning Light). She has been named as the leader of the trauma healing group in her camp.

Mary Nyajuok John Palek at training in June

by Frank Dimmock

It has been a very busy and long day 1 with the audio trauma healing trainees.

We reviewed 6 lessons, listening to the Nuer audio recordings and going through the discussion questions. They remembered many of the stories and exercises we had done in the June training. It was a good review. There are 6 women and 7 men representing five of the six camps in the region. They are part of a team of trained trauma healing refugees from each camp.

Trauma in the camps has spread like a virus. Many are still running from their past while nervous about their future. Will peace prevail? Will they be able to return home next year? I am reminded of a C.S. Lewis quote: “a familiar captivity is better than an unfamiliar freedom.”

Faith communities in the camps are viewed as sources of spiritual and social support. The scripture-based curriculum that we use in trauma healing with adults and children is effective and can be used in addressing pain and rebuilding hope and resilience.

It is a blessing for The Outreach Foundation to support this priority program.

Thank you for your assistance,

Frank Dimmock
Africa Mission Specialist