Trauma Training in Mathare

Since 2021, Rise Up has partnered with ALARM-Kenya to provide hope and healing to 50 widows and single mothers in Mathare, an informal settlement in Kenya. This initiative provided these women with business skills training, vocational training, and capital injection. In 2022, these women participated in a 2-day training on Trauma Awareness & Sexual Gender-Based Violence.

On August 9th-11th, a second training was conducted to further the women’s understanding of trauma and its effects. Three local organizations, including ALARM-Kenya, the Kenya Paralegal Network, and Amani Counselling Center, joined forces to offer this training.

The majority of these women have gone through traumatic experiences. In response to the training, the women were able to address some of the trauma they have experienced and identify ways to break the cycle and avoid passing it on to their children.

The professional counselor who facilitated has generously offered additional counseling to 12 women actively experiencing the effects of trauma.

I am very grateful because I’ve learned a lot about how to overcome trauma. We have been taught by our teachers how to overcome generational trauma. I’ve also learned my rights and some articles and laws handling Sexual Gender-Based Violence.
– Seah, A Mathare Participant