There are so many things that happen on a daily basis in our therapeutic houses that are just part of life but sometimes we look back and think – wow – that is huge!
Recently, in a weekly group meeting in one of our boys houses, a boy who had really struggled to leave the streets and the drugs, spoke out to share his thoughts.
This young man had always fought against everything and often smashed windows, attacked other boys and staff and was a ‘serial complainer’ (I would complain if I’d lived his life!) Staff struggled to connect to him and he knew it. His answer was to reject them big time and make life as difficult as could be. He really didn’t feel that he was loveable or likeable in anyway and so he pushed people hard before they could reject him.
In the early days it was reported that he was possessed and evil and a dangerous boy. Through training and understanding for our staff, teaching them to parent with PACE, and really understand trauma, this young man began to change.
We know that traumatised children can’t change on their own – we need to change the air that they breathe in and fill it with love, acceptance and drown them in empathy, for change to happen. This is really really tough for our staff but they are doing it SO well now – and change is happening big time!
This young man sat in the boys group last night – he talked and talked and talked – but not to complain! He spoke about MORE THAN 20 THINGS he loved about being in our family!!!!!
Thats what it’s about – that when we know when we are making a difference! He doesn’t fight – he doesn’t run away – he is beginning to see the good in the rotten stinking world that had previously shown him rejection, violence and fear! He is beginning to believe he can be liked and he can be loved – crying happy tears for him and his brothers and sisters at Rafiki
To all our supporters, staff, families and beautiful beautiful children – you rock our world.
Asante Asante Asante xxxxxx
