THE HEROES JOURNEY
The Heroes Journey is a child-focused, Post-Traumatic Growth program with an emphasis on positive growth. This curriculum is designed for war-affected children who are in the middle years of development (around ages 10-12) in East Africa and the Middle East. In Uganda, over 60% of the refugee population is under the age of 18 (UNHCR, 2018).
Despite extraordinarily high adversity, with the right tools and access to safe places to process, those who have experienced traumatic events can not only develop resilience but have the potential to grow and live more fulfilled lives. This two-week curriculum, led by local mental health professionals who guide groups of up to 20 participants through nine sessions that seek to develop hope, belief, gratitude, kindness, and the courage to combat shame and to forgive. Each session is highly interactive, utilizing child-friendly activities, games, stories, songs, play, and art, with the aim of improving the mental, emotional, behavioral, relational, and spiritual well-being of participants.
The Heroes Journey currently runs in Uganda and Kurdistan, Iraq.
In addition, the Heroes Journey utilizes elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, and Shame Resilience Theory, among other interventions to empower participants to process their experience and develop positive coping practices. A critical facet of the program is the provision of coaching for parents and teachers to assist them to help empower children as they recover and develop after difficult life events. A follow-up celebration event is held approximately 3 months after the initial program to refresh key concepts and check on participant progress.