Trauma Counseling for Child Survivors of War

Dear Friends,

We are continually encouraged by your kindness, compassion and generosity towards children.  Uganda is currently hosting over 900,000 child refugees.  Each one has a story of survival.  Each one is incredibly brave in our eyes.  What they have faced, how they have endured and how they continue to battle for their future is inspiring. 

In the midst of their incredible resilience, they have emotional and mental health needs that urgently need our care and your support.  The counseling team at I Live Again Uganda listens to their stories of war, what they have witnessed and what they are currently facing living in the refugee settlement.  Crossing the border into Uganda does alleviate the stresses of war and conflict physically, but life in the refugee settlement is another battle.  Not only are children navigating their emotions of what they faced before fleeing their homes and along the journey to safety in Uganda, but they also have more battles ahead.  Many children crossed the border unaccompanied.  Some children wonder if their family members made it out alive or are in other refugee settlements.  The UNHCR works hard to locate family members but at times, its not possible.  The uncertainty of knowing if family members are alive or not can leave children feeling anxious and unsettled. 

The Empower Kids Program is our counseling program.  With your generosity and compassion, our team is able to meet with children who have survived war and are living in the refugee settlement in northern Uganda.  We give children safe ways to express their past, their present and hope for the future.  One of the ways we do this is through art therapy.  Our team moves throughout the refugee settlement to meet children.  They don't have tables to sit at, but each one is always excited to have a few coloured pencils and paper to draw and show off their artistic skills.  Attached you will see some photos from the refugee settlement were some of the children were taking time to draw images of their family members. 

We hope that you will continue to stand with children who have survived the unimaginable through your encouragement and giving.  We are so grateful for your support.