Healing emotional scars of war
CAFOD is helping people to overcome their traumatic experiences through counselling and play therapy following the election violence in Kenya
“It was late at night when gangs came and told us to get out” recalls fourteen-year-old Grace, sitting quietly outside the shelter she now calls home in a temporary camp in Nairobi.
“I was asleep and I heard the knock of strangers on the door. We were so scared.
“My mum told us to get out without taking anything and not to look back. On the street there was lots of screaming. People were running and some had been beaten”.
“We arrived here not knowing where we were going. I didn’t sleep that night.
“When the morning came, it was so full of people. Some were crying. Two days later they came with clothes and food.”
More than 1,500 people have died as a result of the disputed elections, and an estimated 600,000 have fled their homes.
Losing everything
CAFOD is supporting local organisation Mama na Dada Africa, who are providing counselling for women and play therapy for children traumatised by their experiences. Continue reading →
April 2, 2008
Categories: CAFOD, CAFOD - Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, Crisis Issues, Kenya, Mama na Dada Africa, Organisations, Peace, Psychological Support . Tags: Crisis Issues, Mama na Dada Africa . Author: rescuekenya . Comments: Leave a comment