Responding to the prevailing social unrest, characterized by violent conflict, kidnapping, terrorism, displacement and refugee crises, gender based violence, childhood trauma, the impact of natural disaster and systemic challenge in the Nigerian society, the Misereor Dialogue and Partnership Service (DPS) in Abuja, published a trauma brochure, titled; “Stories of Pain and Hope”, a compilation of narrated scenarios of sociocultural mishappenings that exposes individuals to certain traumatic experiences and how best to handle trauma.
In a press statement issued on the occasion of the book launch, which took place at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) Resource Centre on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, the Head of the DPS, Julia Krojer disclosed that the publication is a collaborative effort of dedicated individuals from De Merillac Centre for Street Children, Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, FJDP Makurdi, Hope for the Village Child Foundation, JDPC Bauchi, JDPC Ekiti, JDPC Ibadan, JDPC Jos, amongst others.
In the statement, Krojer explained that the book introduces the reader to four different stories that reflect the traumatic experiences of people, especially girls and women in Nigeria daily. She further explained that the publication employs a community-based approach to address the complex interplay of individual, interpersonal, community, and structural factors that contribute to trauma.
In his opening remark at the event, the Secretary General of CSN, Rev. Fr. Zachariah Nyantiso Samjumi noted that stress and trauma can come in many forms and that the persisting economic hardship in the country can be traumatising enough for anybody. He expressed gratitude to Misereor DPS for the effort towards giving hope and healing to traumatized people and prayed God’s blessing on them, their work, and effort in bringing healing to our depressed community.
The event also welcomed goodwill messages from partner organisations and other related bodies, like the Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Adinya Arise Foundation, German Speaking Congregation in Nigeria, Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRISED), the office of the head of gender case management, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, and a Keynote speech by the Executive Director of Adinya Arise Foundation, Mrs. Mabel Adinya.
Misereor is the German Catholic Bishops Conference Organisation for Development Cooperation and for over 60 years, they have been collaborating with civil organisations in Nigeria with their important work in human rights, water and sanitation, peace building, health and agriculture. The Dialogue and Partnership Service in Abuja is a Misereor liason post in Nigeria and works under the legal holdership of the CSN.