Trauma Treatment Program

Thousands of Ugandans bear severe trauma from prolonged war and displacement, loss of family members and dehumanizing abuses. Effective treatment for the kind of large-scale social trauma faced by northeastern Ugandans is an enormous challenge. Alongside individual/person to person attention provided by our trained trauma counselors, therapies given are community-based, including group counseling as well as cultural activities like drama, dance, singing and celebration.

Our counselors work in three camps with a population of 15,000. In 2007-2008, Pilgrim in partnership with ITTP helped equip 77 newly-trained counselors from nine districts of eastern and northern Uganda who will be able to serve more than 80,000 people. We also counsel many students at Beacon College, and are consistently improving and refining our therapeutic approaches. This year, we are happy to report that the students:

Reported fewer health complaints than last year.
Participated in more extra-curricular activities and athletic events.
Improved their academic performances.
Received life skills training, including HIV/AIDS education.

We are especially heartened that our work in trauma treatment is receiving recognition from local leaders, other non-profit agencies in the area, and support from the community. All feel hopeful that with our continued efforts, and by working closely with local groups, we can all see restoration of dignity, health and healing to the people of the Teso area.

Several teams of psychologists and trauma counselors from the U. S. have also visited Pilgrim's trauma treatment program in the last year, and have held joint training workshops with Pilgrim's staff. The next team of visiting professionals is scheduled for February 2008.