Training Ugandans in Trauma Informed Care

Thanks to your generous support, this past October, Brendah launched a mental health radio show in Uganda, to provide trauma informed care education and tools to folks across central and western Uganda who might not be able to access our trainings. 

What she didn't know was just how impactful her show would be.

Benson and his wife, Bonny, school teachers in a small rural town called Kisiizi, were listening to the radio show one night, hearing Brendah talk about how trauma can lead to cycles of harm within families and communities. They decided they needed to bring mental health training and healing to their community.

Kisiizi is a beautiful hillside town, famous for a tall waterfall whose powerful downpour can be heard even from a distance.

*** content warning: violence ***

Not long ago, families used to take unwed pregnant daughters to the top of the waterfall, pushing them to their death for the shame they brought to the family. A statue honoring the young women remains at the waterfall today, reminding visitors of the trauma and violence of this village's recent past.

After the radio show, Benson immediately reached out to Brendah on WhatsApp.

A few weeks later, Brendah arrived for the first Kisiizi community training, offering over 70 teachers and community leaders knowledge and skills in trauma-informed care. 

The next training was a few weeks later.  Over 80+ parents and caregivers -- husbands and wives -- along with health workers, faith leaders, and other community members, shared their deepest wounds and started to heal together.

"After the first day of the training, I decided not to beat my son that night," one brave father shared. "Instead, I apologized to him."

"We are all here for a reason," one of the faith leaders shared. "We are starting to heal together."

After that, Benson and Bonny formed a local healing committee of newly graduated Healing Advocates who will start training all of the school teachers in the region. 

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From one radio show a ripple effect has started.  Over 100 new Healing Advocates are now serving thousands of survivors, healing generations of violence.  And over 5 million people across Uganda are tuning in to hear Brendah talk about the importance of mental health in healing cycles of violence.

Thank you for your love, support, and advocacy.  It only takes one person to heal thousands.