Nkambe: HOFNA, German Embassy Engage Community Leaders in Trauma Healing and Psychosocial Support

Organized by Hope for the Needy Association-HOFNA, with support from German Embassy, the training brought together 100 community leaders, including traditional rulers, Ardos and municipal councilors. HOFNA training workshop aimed at empowering 100 trainees on Trauma Healing and Psychosocial Support focuses on ehnacing peace building, treating mental stability and ensuring a gender based violence free community. It’s unquestionable that a tremendous number of people in Donga Mantung Division have experienced horrendous violence and/or some kind of loss or witnessed gender based violence. Adrresing participants today May 12, 2023, at the two-days training workshop, the mayor of Nkambe council, Musa Shey Nfor applauded HOFNA for the laudable initiative to consolidate peace in Nkambe. 

Nkambe, the mayor said is defined as peace. Harping on the role of women in trauma healing and pyschosocial support, Musa Shey Nfor reiterated that "when you teach a woman, you have taught the whole world". He added that gender based violence is not woman violence bit rather it is what affects the family. He reminded participants that trauma can come from all places such as markets, schools, palaces, ardorets, job sides etc. He called on participants to use the opportunity offered by the training workshop as the gate to forgiveness. "Let's learn the good things to delute bad ones inorder to serve as lights of peace" he continued. He expressed gratitude to the German Embassy and HOFNA for their efforts to build peace. 

Talking to participants via zoom, the Executive Director of HOFNA, Ma Ngwang Nfor Bay Christelle told participants that the training workshop is very vital given that they have chosen their own meaning to peace. Trauma she continued affects societies, it could be a child who wants to go to school, or one who has been sent home for school fees etc including localized violence, dehumanization such as child labour, child trafficking, prostitution which have emanated from circumtances where some people faced after being displaced from their communities because their villages have been invaded. 'Part the training" she emphasized "is to take us out" of the disrespect for the sanctity of life. Ma Ngwang Nfor Bay Christelle used the opportunity to inform participants that Nkambe is the birth place of HOFNA and that the organization also implemented it first project in Nwangri village, in Nkambe council area. She expressed gratitude to the mayor of Nkambe council for the frank collaboration. 

In her opening remarks,, HOFNA Programme Manager, Mbuteh Florence the training workshop is a collective efforts to recognize and confront the realities of trauma which entails treating mental stability, brainstorming and ensuring a gender based violence free community. According to Madame Mbuteh Florence, enhancing community peace through trauma healing and pyschosocial support leads to peace and eradicates it from becomes deeply embedded in the fabrics of the society. She revealed that few days ago, HOFNA through it's Economic and Skills Acquisition Program for IDPs, trained and supported 100 start-up businesses. 

It is worth mentioning that during the two days, participants will be empowered in a range of psychosocial, trauma recovery/healing, and peacebuilding concepts and practices to provide information and tools for use in their community psychosocial support work. Other keynote speakers included Bakah Derick, Linda Judith, Yaah Viban and main trainer, Dr. Terence. 

At the end participants including traditional rulers and Ardos will be equipped to identify in an inclusive and participatory manner the roots of conflicts in their communities, and using an integrated and gender- sensitive approach, support the communities to effectively prevent, manage and resolve conflict in a non-violent manner.