Trauma Treatment Program

Thousands of Ugandans bear severe trauma from prolonged war and displacement, loss of family members and dehumanizing abuses. Effective treatment for the kind of large-scale social trauma faced by northeastern Ugandans is an enormous challenge. In addition to individual sessions provided by our trained trauma counselors, community-based therapies, including group counseling, drama, dance, singing and celebration are offered and encouraged.  

Our counselors have established trauma counseling centers in six internally displaced peoples camps.  In 2007-2008, Pilgrim, in partnership with ITTP, helped equip 77 newly-trained counselors from nine districts of eastern and northern Uganda who will serve catchment areas of more than 80,000 people. We also counsel many students at Beacon College, and are consistently improving and refining our therapeutic approaches. This year, we are happy to report that the students:

• Reported fewer health complaints than last year.
• Participated in more extra-curricular activities and athletic events.
• Improved their academic performances.
• Received life skills training, including HIV/AIDS education.

Several teams of psychologists and trauma counselors from the U. S. have also visited Pilgrim's trauma treatment program in the last year, and have held joint training workshops with Pilgrim's staff.

We are especially heartened that our work in trauma treatment is receiving recognition from local leaders, other non-profit agencies in the area, and support from the community. All are hopeful that by God's grace working through our continued efforts, we will see restoration of dignity, health, and hope to the people of the Teso region.