Fund Trauma Recovery in Burkina Faso

Training 360 Pastoral Workers in Trauma Recovery

The Diocese of Ouahigouya is home to more than 69,432 displaced people who fled their homes from violent extremist attacks. With everything left behind, but the scars of violent trauma, these victims of terrorism are going through unfathomable psychological trauma. They carry the torment of witnessing their families violently attacked or murdered. Some of them have lost the ability to speak because of psychological shock.

Fr. Jean Pierre Sakouri, Vicar General of the Diocese of Ouahigouya, relays to Aid to the Church in Need the severity of the terrorist situation facing many parishes. He urges pastoral workers to “integrate the reality of terrorism into the proclamation of the Good News and the pastoral care of Christian communities, following the Church’s strategy in the catacombs, as demonstrated in its history.” 

This project seeks to train 360 pastoral workers (280 catechists and 80 priests and religious) in the Diocese of Ouahigouya with vital psycho-pastoral skills for victims of terrorism. Through this training, displaced individuals, particularly children, will receive high quality care that will aid their recovery but also help build resilience as they navigate the profound challenges of trauma and loss.

Can you give an offering to train a pastoral worker to treat trauma survivors to recovery?