Training Ugandans in Trauma Informed Care

Dear Community, 

Your generosity is helping to build the capacity of local leaders in rural Uganda to support young victors of sexual violence in their village.

Now, you can see the inspiring work of our partner, Edja Foundation, in action, as they courageously combat sexual abuse and help survivors start their healing journeys... and, you can even see clips from the trauma healing workshop we held with community leaders last summer. 

This powerful video shows how -

One Motorcycle

One Cell Phone

One Social Worker

One Legal Advocate

One Victor

... is enough to spark change.

With much to overcome, Edja is leading a new conversation in Uganda about what it takes to stand up against sexual violence, and say Enough is Enough!

Watch the video now.

We are deeply humbled and honored to join Edja Foundation again this July, to support local teachers, medical workers, police officers, legal advocates, spiritual leaders, and peer counselors to heal cycles of trauma. While there, we will:

• Continue training local leaders in Kambuga village in peer counseling, emotional first aid, and breaking cycles of violence

• Provide dedicated training and support to primary and secondary school teachers on facilitating youth healing circles

• Train school teachers in Kutamba village in trauma-informed and healing-centered care

• Join 1,000 local villagers in Edja's 2nd annual March Against Gender Based Violence 

YOUR generosity and love is what fuels this critical work. And for that, we are forever grateful.

Stay tuned for more updates, following our work this summer.

With gratitude - from our hearts to yours,
Gratitude Alliance

Links:

• Check out the Edja Foundation video (5 min)

“The youth program has been such an awakening and enlivening experience for the students to know about themselves, their life purpose, what makes them happy, creating and respecting personal boundaries, and how they can bring changes in themselves… they are now more empathetic, they know how to comfort their sad emotions, they listen to each other’s stories, and they act with love. I would have been a different person if I had this training when I was a teenager.”

~ Teacher and youth leadership program facilitator

This testimonial from a teacher in Nepal speaks to the power of our culturally adaptable, youth trauma healing program, which was piloted with orphans and vulnerable children at a school outside Kathmandu, and which we are excited to bring to Uganda.

Following our trauma healing workshop with community leaders in southwest Uganda last summer, we’ve been building a new version of the program specifically for younger students, so our partner, Nyaka AIDS Orphan Project, can launch healing circles in both its secondary and primary schools - helping youth who have been affected by HIV/AIDS and sexual abuse heal from childhood trauma.

We are excited to announce that after months of hard work, the curriculum is complete!  With support from art therapist, clinician, and curriculum developer, Leslie Davidson, MA MFT, the Life Skills and Leadership Development Program (LSLDP) weaves together creative and expressive art with social and emotional learning to help young survivors of trauma start their healing journeys in a safe, nurturing space facilitated by local teachers who become not just educators, but also mentors, counselors, and healing champions in the community.

Because of your love, support, and generosity, these teachers will have the tools to disrupt cycles of trauma and harm, and help young survivors transform their pain into the power of empathy, courage, resilience, and connection.

Stay tuned for our next update - including news about a healing group started by a special teacher in Uganda...

With gratitude - from our heart to yours,
The Gratitude Alliance Family