Amira – a self-appointed counsellor for displaced children
Helping children navigate through the effects of conflict
Amira sits with a group of children and young people in a circle chatting, singing, giggling, and sharing happy moments. Majority cross legged, they engage and interact in various activities. One would mistake Amira for the older girls.
Amidst the activities, the younger ones leave the circle running straight to Amira to share their drawings while the older seek for her attention with questions.
Occasionally they all jump onto their feet to dance. It is a small room with so much activity and enjoyment.
Behind these smiles, giggles, and fun activities are memories of shooting, blasts, and shelling that the children experienced in the recent past.
But Amira, a professional psychologist now turned into a counselor at shelter where the children and their families have sought refuge is helping them heal, one day at a time.
Amira and other professional psychologists from the host community have volunteered to provide psychosocial support to displaced children and their families in Dongola. Having worked with children with special needs at a local kindergarten Amira quickly embraced her new role and in no time, she has been able to win the trust and love of those she continues to support overcome trauma and stress.
Impact of conflict on children
Conflict affects children in many ways and its impact lasts a lifetime.
When Amira first interacted with the children, they were in a sad state. Tired and exhausted from the journey, they experienced a lot of anxiety, fear, trauma, and panic attacks.
“Some children suffered from sleep deprivation, and they cried all the time. Unfamiliar behavior was also common. Many were wetting their beds, some cried in their sleep, ate little or nothing at all and many still don’t want to eat,”
As the conflict in Sudan continues, so does its impact on children.
Without support as that provided by Amira, many children will struggle to cope and recover.
With Amira holding their hands, the children take one day at a time. The healing is gradual, but Amira is proud of the progress she continues to witness. Many questions remain, but Amira is stepping up even more in this noble call.
“Imagine questions like when we will get back home? When will the war stop?” Amira asks.
“I reassure them of a better tomorrow as we all wait on normalcy to return,” Amira affirms.
Psychosocial support for the parents too
The impact of the continued fighting is also taking a toll on the parents and caregivers at the shelter. Amira is supporting them too. Through sessions she understands their challenges and provides temporary solutions. Many are on medication to keep their worries away and remain calm during these uncertain times.
They are losing sleep about the future of their children. “How will they resume their education,” they continuously ask Amira.
UNICEF and partners are mapping out shelters hosting displaced communities and providing psychosocial support for children and their families.
The child friendly approach to healing
Through the days, Amira tries hard to balance the children and adult sessions. She must attend to all.
For the children, she just lets them be children. Having fun, that’s all they need right now, and it is working.
When I asked them what they want – they had this to say. “We want to paint; we want to draw; we want to read story books.”
Even during conflict, children just want to be children and Amira is supporting them.
