Peace of Mind (PoM) Healing Futures in refugee

2. Peace of Mind (PoM) Healing Futures in refugee

The Problem
The East and Horn of Africa region shelters over 5 million people fleeing conflict and climate emergencies, with Uganda hosting the highest number at 1.7 million refugees from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia (UNHCR, 2024). Children and youth make up more than half of this population and suffer from "invisible scars" of trauma, family separation, and prolonged uncertainty, exposing them to significant psychosocial distress. Yet access to culturally appropriate, child-friendly mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services remains limited in refugee settlements and host communities. Wema Educational Services (WEMA) proposes to implement "Healing Futures," a 12-month community-driven Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) program targeting 500 refugee children (ages 6–12) and youth (ages 13–24) in the West Nile sub-region in Uganda.

Utilising the "Connect with Respect" model, the project will deliver trauma-informed play therapy, expressive arts, caregiver engagement and peer support groups while strengthening community capacity and safeguarding systems. The “Connect with Respect” is a foundational model for effective MHPSS because it fosters trust, emotional safety, self-esteem and a sense of belonging, which are all critical for healing and resilience. This locally led intervention will bridge the gap in MHPSS services caused by 2025 humanitarian aid cuts, ensuring that displaced children do not just survive, but thrive. The proposed interventions are locally led, culturally responsive, cost-effective, and rigorously monitored, directly aligned with the Peace of Mind Foundation’s priorities on child protection, community ownership, and sustainable impact.

Project Objectives
The project aims to create a resilient, community-driven programme for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) that restores a sense of safety, normalcy, and hope to refugee children and youth affected by crisis. We aim to achieve this through three core objectives:
1. Provide Direct, Culturally-Attuned Healing. By the end of the project, we will reach at least 500 children and youth (ages 6-24) with structured, evidence-based MHPSS activities designed to reduce symptoms of trauma and improve emotional well-being.

2. Empower the Pillars of the Community: We will train and mentor 150 local community members, including parents, teachers, volunteers, and local leaders, to become certified psychosocial support facilitators, thereby creating a sustainable resource for the community.

3. Strengthen the Circle of Care: We will equip 500 parents and caregivers with the knowledge and skills necessary for trauma-informed parenting and psychological first aid, enhancing the family unit as a source of protection and support.