Psycho-social counselling for children in Sri Lanka

Following the tsunami which hit Indonesia and Sri Lanka particularly badly, Rose Charities was able to send pediatricians, doctors and nurses to two of the worst hit areas - Banda Aceh Indonesia and Kalmunai in Southeast Sri Lanka.

A few weeks later, working in the camps in Kalmunai, the need for counselling to address post traumatic stress was quickly identified and Rose was able to send a senior psycho-social counsellor from Vancouver Canada, who trained local people to be counsellors and trainers themselves.

These trained counsellors then went out into the camps and schools, identifying the children who had problems adjusting to their experiences. Many of these children showed intense distress. A structured counselling program was started, of which the Rose Children's Clinic was a significant part in the treatment these children and their families.

Simple play and art therapies helped the children communicate their devastating experiences and allowed the healing process to start. The drawings done during these therapy sessions make poignant viewing.

Rose Charities worked with the local community to develop a systematic school counselling program. Eighteen schools participated and over 10,000 children received, and continue to receive, this essential support.