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Trauma Care and Training in South Sudan
On July 15th, 2011, I saw a news headline that changed my life. I was volunteering in Rwanda for the summer, and I came across a news stand that read, “South Sudan joins the United Nations as the world’s newest 193rd independent nation.” In that moment, the Spirit stopped me in my tracks, and a peaceful voice in my mind said, 'This country is going to be very important to you one day'. That is when the seed was planted.
Upon returning home from Rwanda, through much prayer and leading, God set a passion in my heart and a plan in my mind: I was to become a registered psychotherapist so that, one day, I could teach trauma therapy in South Sudan.
Since then, I’ve received my Masters of Divinity in Clinical
Counselling from Tyndale, and recently completed further
certification in Clinical Traumatology. Combined with my work
experience, I hope that I have something of value to contribute in
South Sudan.
The need for trauma therapy in South Sudan is great. After only two years of peace after independence, civil war broke out in December of 2013. Peace talks continue to buckle, and fighting and violence persist. While war rages on in the land, an even greater war is being fought inside the hearts and minds of South Sudanese people. It is the inner battle of trauma. It robs an individual of their safety, their hope, and their joy. Left untreated, trauma is a ruthless thief that steals life, even after the war is over. My passion is to bring psychoeducation and methods to understand and soothe this trauma to a culture that believes that this is their 'normal'.
I truly believe that God wants to send a message to South Sudan that He has not forgotten them, that there is healing — of body, mind, heart, and spirit.
The need for trauma therapy in South Sudan is great. After only two years of peace after independence, civil war broke out in December of 2013. Peace talks continue to buckle, and fighting and violence persist. While war rages on in the land, an even greater war is being fought inside the hearts and minds of South Sudanese people. It is the inner battle of trauma. It robs an individual of their safety, their hope, and their joy. Left untreated, trauma is a ruthless thief that steals life, even after the war is over. My passion is to bring psychoeducation and methods to understand and soothe this trauma to a culture that believes that this is their 'normal'.
I truly believe that God wants to send a message to South Sudan that He has not forgotten them, that there is healing — of body, mind, heart, and spirit.
Through a friend, I met an incredible couple - Matt and Hanika -
who have
been volunteering in South Sudan at Emmanuel Christian College
(ECC), one of the only educational institutions that has managed to
keep its doors open in the midst of conflict. The college focuses on
refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who have witnessed
incredible violence, fled their homes, and suffered immensely. The
school’s goal is to be a powerhouse for change and educational
development through introducing the student-centered approach to
teaching and learning, which has the power to transform the country.
I can’t even imagine what it must be like trying to learn in the
midst of a war, but these students are brave and dedicated to their
studies, knowing that education - predominantly based in the
Christian faith - will help them make South Sudan a place of life
and opportunity.
After a night of story sharing and prayer, we deeply felt that we were the answer to each other's prayers for trauma to be taught at ECC. Which now means, in July I will be going to Yei, South Sudan to teach teachers and students about the effects of trauma on the body, mind, and spirit. I will be going for their intensive course during this semester in July, with a heart full of hope and readiness to learn what people are going through and the struggles they face. My prayer is that during this trip, I can begin contributing in a real and meaningful way — eliciting hope and helping people find freedom — so that this country will start spiraling up towards health, and an identity rooted in Christ. If the leadership finds me to be a good fit, and God affirms it in my heart, this will hopefully lead to an on-going relationship with ECC towards trauma care and training.
After a night of story sharing and prayer, we deeply felt that we were the answer to each other's prayers for trauma to be taught at ECC. Which now means, in July I will be going to Yei, South Sudan to teach teachers and students about the effects of trauma on the body, mind, and spirit. I will be going for their intensive course during this semester in July, with a heart full of hope and readiness to learn what people are going through and the struggles they face. My prayer is that during this trip, I can begin contributing in a real and meaningful way — eliciting hope and helping people find freedom — so that this country will start spiraling up towards health, and an identity rooted in Christ. If the leadership finds me to be a good fit, and God affirms it in my heart, this will hopefully lead to an on-going relationship with ECC towards trauma care and training.
Will you join me in prayer as I go?
- Please pray for safety - I recognize that South Sudan isn’t
the safest of places, and covet all your prayers for my safety, as
well as the safety of the teachers and students at the school. As
well as safety travelling from Rwanda, to South Sudan, and then to
Uganda before heading home.
- Please pray for connection - with the students, teachers,
and directors of the College.
- Please pray for humility - that I may go in with a heart and
head willing to learn from these experts on what South Sudan/ECC
needs most.
- Please pray for the curriculum - that I may see the need for
trauma resources, education, and material, and begin to devise an
appropriate curriculum that will be taught at ECC for years (and
hopefully decades) to come!
- Please pray for direction - to see if this partnership with
ECC will be a long-term one, and that this trauma course will be
specific to the needs of the school in a long-lasting way.
Lastly, this opportunity to serve in South Sudan has come with
a financial cost, and a total of $5300 needs to be raised. This
total covers South Sudan flights (including the privately
chartered flights into Yei), vaccinations and medication, visas,
food, transportation, and a financial gift to the school to keep
encouraging their development and to set a foundation for the
trauma training initiative.
If you would like to contribute financially, you can do so on
this page! All donations over $20 will receive a tax receipt.
From the depths of my heart, I want to thank you for being willing to learn about this incredible opportunity! I can not express how excited (and nervous!) I am about finally stepping into a calling that God has been preparing me for, and I am grateful for the amazing community that I know will be supporting me as I go.
From the depths of my heart, I want to thank you for being willing to learn about this incredible opportunity! I can not express how excited (and nervous!) I am about finally stepping into a calling that God has been preparing me for, and I am grateful for the amazing community that I know will be supporting me as I go.
With a grateful heart for you,
Stephanie
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