RELIGIOUS SISTERS TRAINED AS TRAUMA HEALING AGENTS IN NORTHERN UGANDA

Sisters pose for group photo in front of their chapel after the training.

By Achomo Proscovia
Gulu City

The Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Gulu have committed to spearhead trauma healing and reconciliation efforts in Northern Uganda’s post conflict communities after completing an intensive four-day training on Trauma Healing and Restorative Justice from the Mother House.
 
The workshop, organized by Justice and Peace Department of Gulu Archdiocese, equipped 30 nuns with skills to help the community process deep –seated psychological wounds that physical reconstruction alone couldn’t heal.
 
Rev Sr. Mary Joyce Anekare who resides at the Mother House described her revelation, “before this training, I struggled to help people haunted by memories. Now I understand trauma isn’t just emotional, it’s in the body and the spirit. I have learned active listening and safe storytelling techniques to help survivors process pain without retraumatization. I will create healing circles where survivors can share their pains in a safe place.”

Rev Sr. Mary Dosline Lakworo, a senior nun said healing the young generation is key to breaking the cycle of violence. “Many children who never saw war still suffer nightmares, anger, fear and that’s why many have left their homes and decided to live in the streets, I will use nonverbal methods to help them process inherited trauma,” says Sr Dosline.

A facilitator engages in a discussion with the sisters during one of the sessions.
 
Sr Mary Rose Lilly Atim, emphasized reconciliation that true healing requires restoring broken relationships.
“Many still live in suffering, the restorative justice module showed me how to facilitate dialogues that rebuild trust. I look forward to talking to people so that they ask for forgiveness and express their hurt-not for revenge, but for closure.”
 
Charles Kidega Abura, a staff of Justice and Peace Department explained the reason for organizing the training.
 
“During the height of insurgency in Northern Uganda, many NGOs provided essential support-food, infrastructure and emergency aids, but one critical gap remained: the healing of the mind. People received roofs over their heads, but who would help them rebuild their shattered hearts? That is why the Justice and Peace Department organized this training. We believe the religious sisters, as trusted spiritual and community leaders, are the missing link in helping our people confront their pain, find forgiveness, and truly move forward,” said Abura.
 
Abura added that trauma left unaddressed, becomes a wound passed down to the next generation and therefore, the training is not just about counselling, it is about restoring the soul of the communities.
 
According to Justice and Peace Department of Gulu Archdiocese, the latest workshop builds on two previous trainings conducted for lay Christians across Gulu and Kitgum Vicariates, with support from Maryknoll Lay Missionaries in the United States of America and Brazil, forming a growing network of community –based trauma responders.