Trauma Counseling for Child Survivors of War

Dear Friends,

Children who have fled conflict carry stories no child should have to hold alone. In Palabek Refugee Settlement in northern Uganda, South Sudanese refugee children are living with the effects of displacement, loss, and trauma.

Through our trauma-informed mental health and psychosocial support programs, more than 1,500 refugee children received care this year. Our teams provided group-based support, individual sessions, and therapeutic play activities designed to help children feel safe, express emotions, and rebuild trust.

These programs are grounded in dignity and resilience—using play, creativity, and connection to support healing in environments where stress and uncertainty are part of daily life. With consistent psychosocial support, children begin to regulate emotions, strengthen relationships, and reclaim a sense of childhood.

Your generosity makes this work possible. Thank you for standing with refugee children as they heal, grow, and imagine a future shaped by hope rather than trauma.

We cannot do what we do without your support and partnership.

Thank you!

Finding Hope Again: Ayen’s Story

When eleven-year-old Ayen arrived in Uganda after fleeing conflict in South Sudan, she carried little more than memories of fear and loss. The violence had taken her father and forced her family to leave everything behind. In the refugee settlement, Ayen struggled with nightmares and often withdrew from other children.

During one of our community visits, our mental health team met Ayen and gently began to involve her in group therapy for children affected by trauma. Through art, play, and guided conversations, she began to express what she had kept locked inside. Week by week, Ayen learned coping skills to manage anxiety and regain a sense of safety.

As she connected with other children and caring staff, her confidence grew. She began to smile again, to draw pictures of hope instead of fear. Eventually, Ayen became one of the most active participants in the children’s support group — helping welcome new arrivals and encouraging them to share their own stories.

Today, Ayen is thriving in school and dreams of becoming a teacher. Her journey reminds us that with the right support — care, community, and consistent mental health programs — healing is possible, even for children who have faced unimaginable hardship.

Your Support Brings Hope

Stories like Ayen’s are only possible because of the generosity of people who care. Every contribution helps provide essential mental health care, trauma counseling, and safe spaces for refugee children to heal and dream again. When you give, you’re not just funding a program — you’re helping a child find hope, confidence, and a future beyond the pain of displacement. Together, we are rebuilding lives and restoring the light of hope in young hearts across Uganda.