Move on like nothing happened? We need a better approach.

 

“They are committing the greatest indignity human beings can inflict on one another: telling people who have suffered excruciating pain and loss that their pain and loss were illusions.”
 – Elie Wiesel

Hi everyone,

Yesterday I had a delightful meeting with a woman who works with refugees in Orange County, yet it only affirmed what was already apparent. Local refugees need far more help than is currently available to them. It is undeniable that we have mass traumatized populations in this world, and the number of refugees being re-settled locally can only be expected to increase.

How can large numbers of traumatized, grief-stricken people fleeing conflict zones, mass atrocities and genocide be expected to receive only the most minimal help when they arrive in the U.S., and then just jump in to our society and move on like nothing happened?

Living Ubuntu is mid-way in our plan to establish a different approach to trauma recovery. As an organization, we are tiny, but determined, and we are going to need your ongoing support to accomplish our goals.

As background to our efforts, last year I wrote a 3-part series describing many of the commonplace difficulties refugees face:

• If their homeland had been a safe place to live, they wouldn’t have become refugees

• Why is it difficult for refugees to get help for trauma & PTSD?

• Why does trauma recovery for refugees require a somatic approach?

In 2012 (Phase 1), we completed a needs assessment survey in City Heights, and found over 80% of the East African refugees that participated had at least mild symptoms of unresolved trauma. In 2013 (Phase 2), local refugee leaders participated in a 6-week series on trauma. In that group they learned and practiced a body-centered method of trauma recovery, Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE). Our success in these two initial phases laid the groundwork for the upcoming September 2014 launch of Phase 3, a 2-month pilot project with 40 female East African Refugees in City Heights (San Diego). Faculty from National University will statistically analyze its effectiveness.

In the coming weeks watch for more detailed information about what we have planned for the immediate, the not-too-far-off future, and the long-term.

For now, here is what you can do to help:

1.)    Want to find out more? Get involved? Come to our next planning meeting, Tuesday, June 17 in Newport Beach. Details are below, including a call-in option.
2.)    Become a one-time or monthly donor. Your financial support can make an enormous difference, having direct impact by increasing the number of refugees we can help.

With gratitude,

Barbara English, LMFT
Founder & Executive Director, Living Ubuntu
livingubuntu.org | facebook | donate »
(949) 891-2005

[Ubuntu] n. Every human being truly becomes a human by means of relationships with other human beings.

 

::: UPCOMING LIVING UBUNTU EVENTS :::

Living Ubuntu Planning Meeting– all are welcome 🙂
Tuesday June 17 6:30p
1151 Dove Street #210
Newport Beach CA 92660
Conference line: Conference dial-in number: (951) 262-4343 | Participant access code: 377504

Global Warming Collaborative Planning Meeting
Wednesday, June 25 6:30p
1151 Dove Street #210
Newport Beach CA 92660
Conference line: Conference dial-in number: (951) 262-4343 | Participant access code: 377504

TRE Certification Level One Training– more info soon!
Friday August 22 – Sunday August 24
San Diego

::: UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS :::

Slow Money – SoCal, featuring Mark Evans, Founder of The Ecology Center
Wednesday June 18 6p-8:30p
Dana Point