The militant group, Boko Haram, has been carrying out a series of attacks including killings, abductions, bombings, and the destruction of property. This has traumatized individuals and families, and left entire communities without a sense of security.
In April 2014, 276 girls were abducted from a secondary school in Chibok, Nigeria. They have yet to be returned. Several bomb blasts following that event have left even more people injured and traumatized.
Since 2001, communities in Northern Nigeria have been experiencing regular and persistent violence which has affected thousands of individuals and families. The militant group, Boko Haram, has been carrying out a series of attacks including killings, abductions, bombings, and the destruction of property. This has traumatized individuals and families, and left entire communities without a sense of security.
World Renew and Beacon of Hope are now providing these men and women with training to provide psycho-social support and trauma counseling in their communities.
In April 2014, 276 girls were abducted from a secondary school in Chibok, Nigeria. They have yet to be returned. Several bomb blasts following that event have left even more people injured and traumatized.
World Renew has been working in Nigeria since 1969. Its partner, Beacon of Hope Initiative, says that these violent occurrences have had a huge impact on the local communities in which they serve. Through World Renew support, Beacon of Hope is now providing trauma-healing programs to those in need.
The program began by consulting churches in eight northern states. These churches were asked to identify men and women with passion and commitment to serving their communities. World Renew and Beacon of Hope are now providing these men and women with training to provide psycho-social support and trauma counseling in their communities.
Once trained, these leaders will facilitate group discussions with men, women and children who have been traumatized by the on-going violence in their country. The goal is to help people talk openly about the experiences they have had and to provide them with some coping mechanisms for dealing with their trauma.
Some of the topics for these group discussions include:
- why we suffer in spite of God’s love
- how the wounds of human hearts can be healed
- what happens when someone is grieving
- how to help those who have experienced bad things
- how to help someone who has experienced sexual violence
- how to minister in the midst of HIV and AIDS, Ebola, STIs, etc.
- how to care for the caregiver
- how to take pains to the Cross
- how we can forgive others
- how to live as God-fearing people in the midst of conflict
- how to build personal or collective resilience
Please join World Renew in praying for peace in Nigeria and the West Africa region.
Please also pray for these trauma-healing sessions and that they may have a positive and lasting impact on those who have experienced so much violence.
