Community Leaders Trained on Trauma Healing

Community Leaders drawn from Mundri, Mvolo and Mapordit are undergoing a three days training on intern communal conflict, trauma and psycho-social recovery. The training organized by Civil Society group, Organization for Nonviolence and Development, ONAD brought together 25 community leaders to acquire skills in trauma, healing and recovery. “Not easy, but it is possible to fight trauma in south Sudan. It is a process and it will take us sometime,” said Moses Monday John, Executive Director of ONAD. Monday said years of conflict and violence in the country has traumatized many people in the country. He adds that the high levels of trauma can only be reduced when peace and stability returns to south Sudan. “It is important to embark on it and we are hopeful that we do something to overcome it. Some of us are traumatized and they overcame it. So those who are traumatized and they were able to overcome trauma, they can be life witnesses. So it is possible that trauma can be addressed,’’ Monday stressed. Reverent Esther Muola, a participant from Mundri says the training will help her recover from the effects of war that resulted to displacement many citizens in Western Equatoria region last year. Rev. Muola says she intends to use the skills acquired from the workshop to train community members on healing and conflict resolution. “I have been there (mundri) when the war emerged and I know about my people suffering. That is why this workshop is really important so that I learn something about trauma healing so that I go back and teach my people about trauma healing, Said Rev. Muola.