Training Ugandans in Trauma Informed Care

Research conducted by our team in Uganda revealed that, out of 50 children who start school in rural villages, fewer than 50% will finish primary school, and only 18-28% will finish secondary school—a dismal outcome by any measure.

Most students drop out because of the impacts of trauma, whether from child sexual violence, child marriage, domestic violence at home, neglect, or corporal punishment at school.  

Following these findings, our team developed a school program for primary and secondary youth to build self esteem, promote emotional and social skills, and cultivate connection and peer support with the goal of supporting youth to start healing from trauma and, in turn, to stay in school.

During one of the workshops, a  student led a grounding  practice that he learned from his teacher, a recent graduate of our Healing Advocate training for community leaders.

The teacher shared with our team how the healing workshop changed her life, inspiring her to regain her sense of self worth and refocus on her wellbeing, for her own safety and that of her children.

This ripple effect is what our work is all about.

When a teacher begins to heal, the classroom becomes a space for healing too. And for these students, that shift can mean the difference between dropping out and building a future for themselves and generations to come.