Trauma Counseling for Child Survivors of War

George was just 5 years old when his father was killed in South Sudan.  The rebels attacked his village, and his father was killed in front of him.  George, his siblings and his mother survived the attack.  With their father gone, the children needed to begin working for others to help provide basic needs like food for their home.  When the rebels came back a second time to attack their village, they decided it was time to leave the country.  George, his siblings and their mother walked to Uganda for safety.

It was in the Palebek refugee settlement where I Live Again Uganda provides mental health programs for both children and adults that we met George. George came to our program every moment he could.  He loved the games, how the staff made him feel safe and how he learned about forgiveness.  He shared with our staff how he chose to forgive the people who killed his father.  Today, George is a bright young man who dreams of helping needy children.  He wants to become a teacher.  His confidence has grown dramatically.  He shared with us, "I can face the future now.  I have hope!"

In 2024, I Live Again Uganda provided mental health programs to 859 children.  We are so grateful for our supporters who recognize the value of mental health.  Children like George who were once in deep pain due to what he experienced in South Sudan and the deep loss of so much, have been given tools to help them combat their worries. 

Thank you for being a part of George's story and many others!

Did you know that there are over 900,000 child refugees in Uganda?

The team at I Live Again Uganda is working hard to meet the psychosocial needs of these children.  While the number of children is overwhelming, our team is committed to restoring healing, hope and identity in those in our care. Our team is so passionate about this because they were children when war came to northern Uganda.  They lived in internal displacement camps and all the fear and loss that the refugee children they serve are facing. 

From games, music, art and drama children are given a safe space to share what they have experienced and what they are currently experiencing.  They are given practical tools to help them daily when faced with anxiety, overwhelming thoughts and anger.  Most of the children in our refugee settlement are from South Sudan.  The war that has caused so much destruction and displacement is due to tribal differences.  We have a unique opportunity to host children from different tribes in our programs. It's an opportunity for us to build reconciliation and unity for the future.

We are so grateful for your support.

Every afternoon we have hundreds of children come to our programs.  We are grateful they have chosen to spend their time with us and not caught up in other things that can be destructive.  When they come to our programs they find a safe space to heal and have fun!

Thank you for your kindness and support!