Archive for traumachildren

One Key to Protecting Children From Trauma: Informing Parents

March 10, 2011 operationsafe traumachildren
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In a typical disaster or crisis situation, there are many pressures on families. The adults have to deal with a number of external issues that put the family at risk, such as finding food, water, medicine and shelter or avoiding danger whether that be from natural or human sources. Even in less dangerous situations, there are still plenty of things on a parent’s mind such as insurance claims, government forms to fill out, or even how to get to work with roads and transit interrupted. With all of this swirling around them it is easy for a parent to simply want their children to do what they are told and be on their best behavior until the crisis has passed. However, things are not quite so simple. Depending on the age of the child, they will respond to the heightened amount of stress in a number of ways that can be misinterpreted by parents as acting up, being immature or even rebellion. Given the increased amount of stress the parent is under as well, it is temping to give a harsh rebuke or punishment when what the child needs most is encouragement and understanding. Parents in the midst of crisis need to be reminded that they are their child’s best defense against the lasting psychological effects of trauma and given helpful hints on how to allay their child’s fears and restore peace to their shaken world.

During the recent earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand and the uprisings in the Middle East, OperationSAFE has been using social media such as facebook and twitter to inform parents how to protect their children from trauma. Volunteers have translated articles and tweets into Arabic such as Emotional Care for Children arabic which have been posted to hashtags such as #libya, #egypt, #tunisia, and #bahrain which have then been relayed through many sites in the Middle East reporting on the uprisings.  Our hope is that this information can be spread widely through troubled regions where children are being exposed to violence and uncertainty about the future.  Likewise we have been posting to #eqnz, the Christchurch Quake hashtag, at intervals throughout the day 21 tips for parents in short easily remembered pieces of advice such as,

10) Tips for Parents! Calmly provide factual information about the recent disaster to your children http://bit.ly/bGneSz #eqnz #opsafe

19) Tips for Parents! Admit your concerns children, but stress your ability to cope. http://bit.ly/bGneSz #eqnz #opsafe

While we would hope that everyone could read and remember how to protect their children from trauma before a crisis, of course many do not.  So these small reminders with links back to further information can be vital. These tips and links have once again been picked up and spread by other sites reporting on the quake exposing more parents to the information they need in the time of crisis as well as being “liked”, “shared” and “RT’d” but thousands of supporters worldwide on Facebook and Twitter who are keeping the children in these areas of crisis in their thoughts and prayers.

 

 

 

 

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How to Help Children Recover from Trauma: Middle East

February 21, 2011 operationsafe traumachildren
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Arabic Translation! Emotional Care for Children arabic

Recent events in the Middle East have brought turmoil and trauma into the lives of children in the region.  While adults engage in the serious drama of protest, opposition, and resistance, children are caught up in the middle of it all. A recent UNICEF report on psycho-support for children caught in violence states,

“The most seriously affected young people are the tens of thousands of children who live and work on the streets of Cairo and other major cities. Testimony from children living in the streets indicates that they were exposed to severe violence, witnessing people killed and badly injured.”

While these children are both the most vulnerable and least served, the report also quotes Dr Hashem Bahary, professor of psychology at Al-Azhar University, as saying “up to 30 per cent of Egyptian children may suffer from anxiety, depression and obsessive compulsion.” Certainly children are being affected similarly in many other countries across the region.  Not only those who are caught up in the violence but also those witnessing the events in their country through television, radio, and the response of their communities and relatives.

What Are Some Do’s and Don’ts to Help A Child Recover from Trauma?

1.  Let’s Talk About It!

•   Don’t leave the child to interpret what is happening around them on their own.

Children pick up on the fear, uncertainty, and strong emotions that adults express but lack understanding of the details.  They can also misinterpret the anger of adults as being somehow their fault.

•   Do take time to explain events in language that the child can understand, and at a level of detail that is appropriate.

Simply talking about what is happening in reassuring tones can relieve stress and help a child to recover.  Even though they don’t understand everything they know that they are safe and cared for.

2.  There is Always Hope!

•   Do emphasize to children the hope that things are going to get better.

In the midst of all of the chaos and violence the hope of lasting change is the bright point of the recent turmoil.  For children who have experienced significant loss, the loss of hope can lead to depression and long-term problems, but hope can be regained if consistently expressed by caring adults.

•   Don’t dwell on the significant problems that still remain.

Adults know that the struggle for freedom is only the beginning.  There are many obstacles to overcome in nations that have long been suffering.  However, if children constantly hear how difficult it will be they can become discouraged and see the situation as hopeless.  Most importantly, they need to hear that although there are still challenges, the family will face them together.

3.  Get Back to Living Life!

•  Don’t allow events to continue to disrupt children’s lives.

It can be tempting to put life on hold while events play out but for children the normal routine of life is comforting and familiar.  Be careful not to let constant news reports interrupt with news of more trauma.

•  Do return to normal routines as much as possible.

Try to reestablish the natural rhythm of life, with as normal as possible times for waking up, eating, studying, playing and sleeping.  Show children that normal life goes on even in abnormal circumstances.

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OpSAFE Tibet Field Report #4

August 16, 2010 operationsafe Humanitarian Work, OpSAFE Camps, traumachildren
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OperationSAFE camps are designed to be very flexible because the situation on the ground in post-disaster settings is often still very fluid. We found this to be especially true in Yushu.  Even with the loss of most of the children to a sudden summer holiday, the team adjusted and continued the camp and actually found it to be more effective as the volunteers were able to spend more concentrated time with the children who had no where else to go.


As the second night of camp wrapped up, I heard stories from each volunteer talking about how their relationships with the children had grown and developed.  One volunteer had stated flatly the day before that all of his kids were “fine” and they probably didn’t need any trauma care at all.  But after the second day he saw that these children had lots of needs and hurts just under the surface.  During the story time discussion a couple of children had tears and opened up with their crew leaders about their own fears and loss.  Even with all of the difficulties, it was starting to happen.  The connections were being made and love was finding its way through every barrier.

The team would spend two more days with the children but I had to hurry back to Japan.  As I hugged them goodbye I knew that despite all of the setbacks and changes, the crucial work that we had come to do was being accomplished, these children would know that they are loved and would receive hope for the future.

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OperationSafe: Cartoon Characters Help Children Cope With Trauma

July 1, 2010 operationsafe Pete's Adventure, traumachildren
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Tackling the problem of trauma in children around the world is very difficult. There are any number of stressors that can lead to PTSD, ranging from the obvious things like natural disasters, war and extreme poverty, to less obvious but no less damaging causes such as abuse, human trafficking, and child labor. Another obstacle is that each culture is different, making any one intervention or therapy that might be used in one place less than effective in another.

We wanted to start with the things that are common to all children. All children love to play games, learn new things, create art, make friends, sing songs and listen to stories. All children need to know that they are loved, accepted and important. All children need to learn courage, hope and that they are not alone. It turns out that these very things can help the majority of children who have suffered trauma to make progress on the road to recovery.

OperationSAFE has been using all of these elements with the story “Pete’s Adventure” to help children after earthquakes in China and Haiti, but we want to help not only children after a natural disaster, but those children who are suffering more personal trauma, families who are caring for children with special needs, and even families going through the loss of a family member, divorce or medical crisis. So for the last year we have been working on an animated film version of “Pete’s Adventure.” We still have a long way to go, but we are starting to see the characters come to life. Please let me introduce some of our first characters to you.

Pete’s Family

After Pete is separated from his family when their ice-shelf falls into the ocean, the story centers on whether he will find his way back home to them.  Along the way he meets a cast of characters that challenge him, become his friends and help him to grow.  Through friendship Pete learns that he is not alone, and no matter what happens, he is loved.

Discovery Bay

After a dramatic episode where Pete finds himself on the wrong side of the sliding ice and spends a night alone in the cold, Pete finds himself at daybreak on the other side of the ice-flow amongst a group of other penguins who look different from any that he has known.  Everyone is recovering from the disaster and Pete is relieved that he is not the only one.

Pete meets Gumdrop a baby penguin, Wally the Walrus, Sally the Seal, Rock, Hop and Boo three older penguin boys and as he seeks to find his way home he finds what he needs all around him.  

Sally the Seal

Sally is Pete’s first friend in this new place and she is a very cute seal pup who likes nothing better than to take a nap or curl up with a good book.  They get off to a difficult beginning but end up being great friends.  (My daughter became the model for designing Sally and we can see quite a lot of our art director’s son in Pete)

We are on track to finish all five episodes of “Pete’s Adventure” in 2011 and hope to make it available to help children with trauma everywhere.

“I am Not Alone”

This is the most important lesson and our theme ~ “I am Not Alone”  But through this blog and twitter I am beginning to realize how very true this is.  It seems that almost every day someone shares with me their own story of childhood trauma.

Many of these people are joining our #opsafe twitter team and helping to spread the news about OperationSAFE so that we can help more people.  I am excited to see this online community develop and hope that even as Pete learned that he is not the only one who struggles, many others would find hope and healing as well.  Thank you all for your help and encouragement!

Jonathan Wilson

OperationSAFE

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China: Earthquake – April 14th, 2010

April 15, 2010 operationsafe Humanitarian Work, traumachildren
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As I listen to reports coming in a day after a series of earthquakes struck the Yushu area of China’s Qinghai province, I can’t help but be reminded of similarities with the 2008 quake that struck Sichuan province. Our team went initially to help with relief work and realized the great need of the children for emotional first aid and support. Since then we have coordinated fifteen camps for children who survived the quake helping them to recover from the trauma that they experienced and adjust to a life that is quite different from what they knew.
Like in the Sichuan quake, many children are affected severely in Qinhai as schools collapsed around them and friends perished. People are afraid. They are afraid to go into buildings, afraid of rumors of flooding, afraid that help will not arrive. All of this is difficult for children as the institutions and adults that they look to for stability and reassurance are themselves faltering.

Our Chinese partners will be sending an assessment team into the region from Sichuan to gauge the need of the children and how OperationSAFE can help. Once basic needs of food, shelter and medicine are met we will set up day-camps where hundreds of children will learn that they are not alone. Our teams in Sichuan are very experienced with the needs of children who have survived earthquakes and are eager to help in any way possible.

Please keep the people of Yushu, Qinhai in your prayers as well as our assessment team that will need to travel for three days in high altitude and damaged roads to reach the remote region of the quake zone. You can also support this effort through donations to OperationSAFE at http://www.firstgiving.com/operationSAFE – please designate your contribution as for “China” as we are also still running operations in Haiti.

Blessings,
Jonathan Wilson
OperationSAFE
http://www.opsafeintl.com

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The Healing Power of Friendships

April 5, 2010 Jonathan Wilson Humanitarian Work, traumachildren
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Emotional care and support for children after trauma.

The Healing Power of Friendships

With half a million people fleeing the cities to find refuge with relatives in the countryside, many of the children in Mizak were newcomers in a strange environment.  Some had come with their families, but others had lost parents, or even been abandoned by parents overwhelmed by the tragedy.

One of the most vital functions of the OperationSAFE camps was for these refugee children to be accepted and make friends with the local children of the village.

Each day centered on a theme, with the first one being “I am not alone.” As the children played games, made crafts and sang songs they learned that they had all been through the same experience.

Download the full Report (PDF)  OPSAFE ~ Haiti Report

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OperationSAFE Haiti: Preliminary Report

March 15, 2010 Jonathan Wilson Humanitarian Work, traumachildren
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I have only been home for a few days and I am still finding it difficult to pull my thoughts together regarding our work training the first OperationSAFE camp for trauma children in Haiti.  In some ways every disaster is similar, after all every human being needs the same basic elements to survive.  So as we drove through Port-au-Prince into the countryside I saw the crumpled buildings, tent cities, UN trucks and myriad vehicles from one relief agency or another working their way through the crowded streets.  I held on to my seat with the luggage in the back of the Tap-Tap (I was riding there to keep the medical supplies we were bringing in from disappearing) and compared it in my mind to similar scenes in Sichuan, Kashiwazaki and Jogjakarta.  But as we climbed up the dirt road farther into the mountains, winding our way up to a village at the end of the road, I realized that this disaster was different from others.  It is a disaster upon a disaster, a tragedy added to a long line of tragedies.  In some ways their lives have not changed that much, it was always difficult to find food, the water had to be hand carried a mile from a well that was drying up, and medical care was only available when a visiting charity team had doctors.  So at first look it seemed that perhaps they were better equipped to handle hardship and loss than we would be in their place.  Words like “resilient” and “patient” came into my head as I watched them make the best of bad situations.

But as we stayed longer, living with them, working together to help the children and seeing the issues that they face more clearly, other words started to surface, words like “fragility” and “hopelessness”.  We saw children who had been abandoned by parents described as “crazy” after the earthquake.  A man beating his wife mercilessly in public for taking his cellphone, and yet little that anyone could do to stop it from happening again.  Relief agencies based in the nearest city refused to supply food because it was out of their jurisdiction, and yet bringing it from the other side of the mountains seemed even more unlikely.  A woman with a difficult delivery gives birth in the back of the van taking her down the mountain to the hospital, but without proper care the baby doesn’t survive.  Adding tragedy to poverty causes the already precarious balance of daily survival to shift with dire consequences.

And yet I am encouraged as the Haitians bring their own strengths to the program. The children retell the story in their own words and act out the adventure of “Pierre”.  They absorb it like sponges and have greater attention spans than children who have been brought up on television and video games.  They never want to stop coloring or painting and love to sing and dance and play.  Without music or any notation, they learned “Aurore’s” song, “Follow and Believe” and made it their own, and I look into the faces of these precious children and workers and am left with words like “beautiful” and “thank you”.

Each disaster is unique, and every tragedy is profoundly local in nature.  This is why it is so important for healing to be first of all human.

“OperationSAFE: Faces of Haiti” — Song: “Follow and Believe”

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"Pete's Adventure" Storybook

February 22, 2010 Jonathan Wilson Humanitarian Work, traumachildren
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The heart of the OperationSAFE program is a little penguin named Pete. We designed the characters and the story so that it can be used anywhere in the world with children who have suffered emotional trauma. Set in Antarctica, Pete is a playful little guy who needs some friends to play with. When his parents both are too busy to play with him Pete stomps off mad and ends up on the wrong side of the ice-shelf that falls off into the ocean. Over the course of five days children in OperationSAFE camps learn with Pete five important lessons for trauma recovery.

With the children we use large picture boards and local storytellers who speak their language to engage the children’s attention. This video from Day 1 shows the artwork from illustrator Graham Fleming and cartoonist Yayoi Inoue with narration from the author, Jonathan Wilson.

From March we will be taking OperationSAFE to Haiti where children will meet Pete and hear his story in their language. Through crafts, games, songs and Pete’s story the children will learn how to smile again and begin their journey to hope and healing.

We are also continuing to work on an animated version of “Pete’s Adventure” that can be dubbed into languages for use around the world. Stay tuned for more reports on our progress.

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Using Animation to Help Children with Trauma

January 2, 2010 Jonathan Wilson traumachildren
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Children who have been through trauma need more than just food, shelter and medicine.  They need hope, hugs and help.  Please take a few minutes to watch our newest informational trailer about our work with trauma children and the exciting new animated film, “Pete’s Adventure”.

If you are as excited about the potential of this project to help children as we are, know that there are plenty of ways that you can help.

  • Hit the RT button or the Share button and help spread the word!
  • Become a fan of OperationSAFE on Facebook, or a follower on Twitter
  • Make a donation ~ we are non-profit and your investment not only helps children but is also a huge encouragement for our team of passionate and creative people.
  • Comment ~ donate your passion and creativity as well ~ we would love to hear your ideas!
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Help Make Summer's Libraries Permanent

December 3, 2009 Jonathan Wilson traumachildren
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CRW_7479

Two years ago I had the privilege of meeting a remarkable woman working in the midst of the hopelessness of the tent cities of Sichuan after the Great Sichuan Earthquake that left over 10 million people without homes.  Summer is a champion rock-climber who was training in the mountains of Longmenshan when the quake hit.  She immediately volunteered to help the rescue efforts in the nearest village and was drawn to the plight of the thousands of children who had been traumatized by the disaster.  Summer began an effort to set up first tents and then rooms in each of the camps where the children could read and be read to, and escape the chaos that their daily lives had become.

We came alongside Summer with our initial relief team and helped her staff her library.  The relationship grew into the first OpSAFE camps and continued as we conducted day camps to help children overcome trauma throughout the quake zone over the last two years.  Over the next few months new schools in Sichuan will be constructed and we want to help Summer move the temporary libraries into the new facilities so that her and those working with her in 15 towns and villages can continue their work with the children


Purpose: Our partners are managing a dozen libraries in temporary

housing facilities and temporary schools which we have

committed to moving into their permanent school

building as they are completed over the next few

months.  Bookshelves and transportation costs are

needed.

Target Communities: Beichuan County and An County in Sichuan

Province

Target Quantity: As many as are funded up to 15 libraries and 144

book cases.

Strategic Impact: Quality educational resources for Children and family

development.

Cost:

US$ 550 per library (RMB 3,685);

US$ 8,250  (RMB 55,275) The funds will pay for

book cases, and transportation of the books,

shelves and subsidize some volunteer transportation

costs.  The labor will be all volunteers.


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