Promoting Healing Through Child Trauma Awareness in Bamenda

As part of DARED's commitment to child protection and psychosocial well-being, our Child Protection Officer, Leotine Pietamen, facilitated a Child Trauma Awareness Workshop at an orphanage in Bamenda. The session brought together 21 children and caregivers to build a shared understanding of trauma and what recovery from it can look like.

The workshop created a safe and supportive space where participants could speak openly about childhood trauma, emotional healing, and positive coping strategies. Group discussions, feelings check-in activities, question-and-answer sessions, and group presentations gave both children and caregivers room to take part in conversations that fostered resilience, understanding, and hope.

Although many of the orphanage's resident children were away on the day of the workshop, the program went ahead with children from the surrounding community, made possible by the collaboration of the orphanage's caregivers.

One of the most encouraging outcomes came from the caregivers themselves, who said they had learned just as much as the children. Their reflections reaffirm why it matters to equip both children and the adults who care for them with the knowledge and skills needed to support healing and recovery.

DARED commends Leotine Pietamen for her dedication to advancing child protection and creating safe spaces where children can learn, heal, and thrive, and extends sincere gratitude to everyone whose support made this initiative possible. Together, we remain committed to protecting children, strengthening families, and building resilient communities.