In the Palabek Refugee Settlement where THRIVE operates, there are more than 50,000 refugees, 86% of whom are women and children. Local Ugandans suffer under the enormous strain on land and resources, which they now must share with the refugees. In line with THRIVEGulu’s mission and vision, the Humanitarian Program Plan deploys a unique range of MHPSS services provided by experienced, professional counselors to help heal the traumatic effects of war endured by both communities. Christine is one of the thousands receiving mental health support who wanted to share her story.
“I fled to Uganda in 2017 after the war came to my village. Since then, I have been living in the refugee settlement as a widow with my 5 children. Life is hard at the South Sudanese/Ugandan border and I often encounter many desperate people. One day, there was an elderly woman and her family, including her daughter-in-law and grandchildren, who were in severe emotional distress. I decided to take the initiative to help. I soon learned that the elderly woman had just seen her son tortured and beaten until he was unconscious and left severely brain damaged. Both her and her daughter-in-law were in serious mental distress and traumatized from the experience.
At this time, my life had been improving through mental health counseling from the THRIVEGulu counselors. I decided to introduce the family to the counselors to see what help they could offer. I am happy to say I have seen the mental health of the family improve a lot after they have been receiving mental health support. I am still very close to the family and check in with them often. I am proud that I am successfully running a small business that earns enough to feed my children. Thank you THRIVEGulu counselors.”
As a supporter of THRIVE, you can help make a difference for people like Christine and the families at the settlement. For $25, a family can receive counseling support for one month – please consider becoming a monthly donor so that you can have a lasting impact on improving the refugee crisis.
