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Rebuilding Hope in Mozambique combined traditional healing and western psychology to reintegrate former child soldiers. The organization saw the need for an integrated healing process that would allow families and communities to accept child soldiers back into their lives — these children who may have perpetrated atrocities suffered by their own communities.
First, they conducted a survey to identify the communities most affected by child soldiers. Acknowledging that traditional healers are often the first people community members approach when they need help (healing), Rebuilding Hope psychologists enlisted the support of community leaders to build a relationship with the healers in order to become project partners for the healing of former child soldiers. To build trust with the community, Rebuilding Hope also provided material assistance, connecting the community to supports such as housing, education and agricultural tools.
In the community, psychologists explored the role traditional healing processes in promoting reconciliation and reintegration. They would go to families to see what the children needed. At first, the families were reluctant to trust the outsiders, and feared the children might be taken from them yet again. The psychologists also went to local leaders, asking them if they were seeing particular problems among the returning child soldiers, and describing the effects of trauma. They asked if the healers had been able to address these problems. When the local leaders acknowledged that these problems were continuing, the psychologists offered their assistance in working collaboratively with the traditional healers.
Local leaders would accompany the psychologists on visits to healers to encourage collaboration. Psychologists and local healers realized the complementarity of their approaches. Rebuilding Hope succeeded in building a collaborative relationship with healers, so that they would refer children to one another for a holistic approach to healing.
As a result of the creation of an integrated support system combining western psychology and the traditional healing processes, child soldiers were provided with a mental and emotional support system that included traditional healing rituals that benefited the individual and the community.
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Acknowledging Wounds of the Past
The past never passes but lives with us. It accompanies us in our life journey because it is part of us. Our entire identity is a reflection of it. The scary part of it , is the fact that it is shaped by us, by others and by those who make decisions for us. Our history is and has left poor communities in pain and trauma. It has also left the priviledge with guilt and shame. These negative emotions have taken away our humanity. We have become monsters to ourselves and to those next to us. Silence and fear is keeping us in chains because we are ashame to face the wounds of our past.
We don't expect much from God because our painful history has left us with wounds and scars that are unfair. The churches appear to be hypocritical because they are mostly led by criminals who create chaos and controversy. Our leaders are messed up because they are products of the past. So past is never gone but lives in us. We are so addicted to violence and greed. Are the days of toyi-toyi gone?
If we feel numb, tired and exhausted, that is an indication that we need help. We are screwed by others , by decision makers and we end up victimising ourselves. Maybe we have been perpetrators ourselves and the yoke of guilt is consuming us.
We end up addicted to drugs because we do not want to recover from denial, guilt and shame. For an example if you smoke two cigarrettes in two minutes, that means you need help. Stop denial and face reality. You need help. It is time now to face our fears for the benefit of our children. Our negative behaviour is messing our kids big time. This denial encourages the circle of horror and pain to continue forever.
We must therefore reposition ourselves and break the silence. We must acknowledge that we cannot change what was done to us and understand that we have responsibility to shape our future. We can reclaim our humanity through breaking the silence and through listening one another. Acknowledging our wounds of the past is the major step towards healing our nations.
Madoda Gcwadi
Madoda555 [at] yahoo [dot] com
Institute for Healing of Memories
Capetown South Africa
Madoda Gcwadi
Madoda555 [at] yahoo [dot] com
Institute for Healing of Memories
Capetown South Africa