Child trauma: NGOs collaborate to sensitise 50 students in Lagos
Some NGOs, the Hope Live Heal Foundation in collaboration with Child Protection Network (CPN) Lagos chapter, Bimbo Odukoya Foundation and Iyaniwura Children Care Foundation have collaborated to sensitise 50 students on child trauma in Lagos.
Speaking at the occasion on Tuesday in Lagos, Mrs Ronke Oyelakin, Coordinator, CPN Lagos, lamented that most children undergo stress and trauma but could not express themselves.
Oyelakin said that the NGOs felt it was best for the students to express themselves through arts.
She said the event was in its third edition and intended to be carried out throughout Lagos state, ensuring that every child in Lagos expresses himself or herself through music and arts.
She said that no fewer than 500 people had been trained in arts based therapy with focus on children in order to avoid dysfunctional adults.
Also speaking, Mrs Ibukunoluwa Balogun, Project Officer, Hope Live Heal Foundation, emphasised that abuse was everywhere including at homes and schools where the environment was not conducive for children.
“Many children have been killed, such that it takes extra efforts for them to speak out.
“Even after the child has spoken out, adults should make sure that something is being done about it.
“At times, fathers abuse their children and they find it difficult to say it because of fear.
“We should get to a point when the child should be able to speak up as it takes extra efforts for someone to help a child speak up,” she said
Balogun, however, stressed that helping a child speak out starts with everyone, and therefore urged all to take action.
Mrs Olajumoke Otitoloju, representing Iyaniwura Children Care Foundation, said that trauma was a neglected aspect of bringing up a child.
She stated that children need a lot of support because they also pass through emotional trauma.
“The NGOs found out that there are a lot of dysfunctional adults and through counseling, they were able to know that the issue as adults started from unhealed childhood trauma and we cannot leave the child alone.
“The NGOs are using the art based approach to unraveled trauma any child was going through and it’s helping them”.
Also, Mrs Temitope Ogunsola, a teacher, said that she learned to always give room to her students to express themselves because some of them did not attend school with clear and happy minds
Ogunsola said that being friendly with them and moving closer helped them to express themselves.
A student, Mubarak Agbaje, said that he had learnt about some negative behaviours that affected some children in their homes.
Agbaje said he also learnt the need to get rid of negativities in life, adding that living life positively was essential to becoming responsible adults.
