September 30, 2022 – In the period from May to June 2022, WPDI reached out to and helped 289 individuals in the Karamoja Sub-Region, Uganda, with a unique trauma healing and counseling initiative, which forms part of WPDI’s wider Youth Peacemaker Network programs. The Karamoja Sub-Region is prone to conflict and insecurity caused by numerous incidents of violence, including armed raids, and coupled with poverty, the region has registered many losses in terms of deaths, the destruction of property, mainly cattle, household items and the loss of livelihoods. This has left whole segments of the population suffering from pain and grief, which affects their ability to lead normal lives.
Individuals with signs and symptoms of trauma were identified in 8 districts of the region and taken through counseling sessions with the aim of helping them cope with their trauma. These unique counseling sessions have been designed in such a way that participants are either met in one-on-one sessions or joint group therapy for individuals with similar trauma issues. These notably include groups of widows, orphans, or widowers, for example. Individuals in need of special help from our trauma officer are identified by WPDI-trained Youth Peacemakers in the community. Our network of peacemakers is therefore crucial for reaching people in otherwise isolated, inaccessible communities.
Our trauma Healing officer subsequently takes the clients through a process of sharing and discussion of the causes of the trauma, how have they been able to cope, what are their strengths and weaknesses, and how can they build on this strength and overcome their weaknesses. Each individual is then followed long-term by the WPDI officer in a bid to help the individual rediscover value in life and move away from a life of sorrow, pain and helplessness. Many participants have been able to come out of their stressful situations and slowly begin to live better, normal, stress-free lives.
One participant, Magdalena, 40 years from Iriri sub county, Napak district, is a recovering alcoholic whose health had deteriorated. She had this to say “you see me like this, I was dying, my children had abandoned me and my husband died, I had nothing to live for. So when I would I could forget the problems I have. When this lady (WPDI Trauma Healing Officer) came to talk to me, I started thinking about my life and decided to stop drinking. I was having a lot of health problems due to alcohol. I decided to start going to the health center and they also told me to stop drinking. This lady also talked to my children to support me. After some time I decided to stop drinking and start doing some small business to survive. I am now better than before and I thank this organization for sending someone to talk to us here in Iriri.”
Another participant, Betty, who contracted HIV indicated: “I have really suffered these past few years with this disease, but when people like you come to visit us and talk to us, it is a sign that we are also still loved and valued. In my community here, I have been abandoned by my relatives and forced to live with my old mother who cannot even help herself. I am very happy and excited when WPDI sends a staff member to visit me and encourage me and even for sharing with me some encouraging testimonies and stories of hope. Today I will sleep very well because your visit has made me so happy and lifted my spirit.”
Our trauma program responds to the overall goals of the Youth Peacemaker Network, to help individuals build inner peace as a condition of their capacity to build lasting peace in the community. To this effect, WPDI strives to provide an outlet for these people who would otherwise have little access to such support. Fostering peace means being able to reach the most vulnerable people in the most conflict-stricken societies.
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