Transforming Communities Through Faith, Leadership & Livelihoods
CRESS Africa Foundation, through its self reliance project distributed seedlings and tools
The training has been organised and implemented by CRESS AFRICA Foundation with support and funding from Action for Child Trauma International (ACTI UK), an organisation that continues to play an important role in strengthening trauma recovery services for vulnerable children and communities across different countries through accredited CATT training programs.
Through ACTI UK’s accredited trainers and counsellors, Lulu Emmanuel & Candia Omar, participants are being equipped and accredited with practical trauma healing skills to support children and adolescents experiencing PTSD, developmental trauma, abuse, neglect, displacement, violence, and other difficult experiences affecting refugee and host communities.
What has been encouraging is the diversity of participants in the room. The training has brought together teachers, Child Protection Committee members, Village Health Teams, para-social workers, lead mothers, church youth leaders, caregivers, rehabilitation workers, community volunteers, refugee welfare leaders, and NGO field staff. These are the people who interact daily with vulnerable children and families within the communities where CAF works.
During the opening remarks, Isaac Soro, MBA, the Executive Director shared CAF’s vision under the Preventive Community Health Framework and highlighted why mental health and psychosocial support must become part of community healing and resilience building. He emphasized that trauma not only affects individuals, but can also affect families and generations if not addressed early.
One statement from the chief trainer deeply resonated with participants:
“The first beneficiary should be your home and your children.”
Day One sessions focused on understanding PTSD, memory processing, complex PTSD/developmental trauma, psychoeducation, and child-centred approaches to healing. Participants also explored how parenting styles, unresolved trauma among caregivers, and generational trauma continue to affect children in both refugee and host communities.
At CAF, we believe that healing communities begins with equipping communities themselves. We are grateful to ACTI UK, the trainers, and all participants for their commitment to restoring hope, dignity, safety, and emotional well-being among children and families in Northern Uganda.