Disaster Response Uganda Project #50153

Trauma Counseling for Child Survivors of War

by I Live Again Uganda

Trauma Counseling for Child Survivors of War

Project Report | Nov 9, 2021
Cecilia's Story

By I Live Again Uganda | Communications

Cecila is 12 years old. She's is a child refugee from South Sudan and has been attending I Live Again Uganda's Empower Kids - Trauma Counseling Program.

"I can still remember very well the day war broke between the government and the rebels near our home. The gunshots lasted for over three days..." Cecila shared with our team.

At the time of the attack, Cecila was with her mother and her sister. As the gunshots got closer and closer to their home, they ran into the bush and a forested area to hide and find safety. Their Father was not with them. They kept wondering where he was and if he was alive.

"We didn't know where he was. We worried that he could have been killed. We stayed in the bush for two days. When things were quiet and looked calm we came out. When we arrived back at our home, we found our Father was alive! We were so happy! But, the war was still on going." A few days after that attack, Ceclia's Father encouraged her, her mother and her siblings to run to Uganda. The war was intensifying and he wasn't sure if they would be safe.

Cecila, her mother and her siblings made the long journey to the Ugandan border. From there, she and her family have come to live in the refugee settlement where I Live Again Uganda is providing Trauma Counseling Programs. She's learning healthy ways of handling what she has witnessed and been through not only in South Sudan, but as she fled with her family and is now in the refugee settlement. She's learning how to handle her emotions, to express what she has been through and what she is feeling about it all in a safe place with safe people. She's learning how forgiveness can change her life and the power of hope. She's visioning and planning for good future.

For 12 year old Cecilia, life in Uganda seems "easy because there is no war here." Her Mother has decided that it is not safe for them to return to South Sudan. Cecila, her mother and siblings have been given a small plot of land in the refugee settlement to plant some basic crops, live in a safe place and a chance to start life again.

When we asked Cecilia what her dream is for the future, she told us,
"I want to study and then one day work at ILA Uganda. Then I can help those who are hopeless and bring peace among the different tribes of South Sudan."

We cannot help Cecilia or so many other children that have survived war without your generous support.

Thank you for you support!

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