How trauma-informed care transforms children’s futures: Hannah’s story 

The violence destroyed her home, and as she was fleeing the conflict, she experienced another devastating trauma: witnessing her father’s murder. 

But thanks to compassionate friends like you, Hannah was rescued and welcomed into SOS Children’s Villages Bahir Dar. Although Hannah was safe in her new home, her journey to healing was just beginning. 

“When Hannah joined my family, she couldn’t speak,” Kassech—Hannah’s SOS Mother—said. “She woke up breathing heavily and afraid she was going to die. She needs encouragement and assurance of her safety every day to process the trauma.”  

Trauma has profound effects on children. It doesn’t just live in their memories—it hinders their ability to function and disrupts their development.  

Teresa Ngigi, SOS’ mental health and psychosocial advisor, explains that children in crisis live in a constant state of fear.  

“Going into shock is the only way the brain can protect the child because the trauma is too much,” says Ngigi. “Her little body is unable to process all that she experienced, so she just freezes. If there were no one to make Hannah feel a sense of safety in the chaos, then the impact is much worse than if a parent were present.” 

These children need tailored, specialized care, and caregivers who create a safe, nurturing and welcoming environment for them to heal and grow. 

The path to healing 

At SOS Children’s Villages, caregivers like Kassech are professionally trained to deliver trauma-informed care and ensure a safe space for children like Hannah to feel secure, restore their mental well-being and rebuild trusting relationships with adults.  

In addition to this essential parental care, children who have experienced abuse, war or other traumatic events receive mental health counseling from a licensed professional.  

This proven approach—loving caregiving and expert mental health support—gives children the tools they need to process their trauma, mitigate any long-term developmental effects and lay the foundation for a brighter future. 

Building brighter futures 

For children living with trauma, their peace of mind isn’t the only thing at risk. If they don’t receive the support they need, their potential to enjoy a healthy and productive future is threatened. 

“When children are not supported to heal, they develop their own internal working model of the world around them,” says Ngigi. “They will try to protect themselves all the time and all other faculties of development are put on hold because [they live in a state of] emergency: staying alive. With all other faculties suspended, the child will not grow or learn and will not trust anymore.”   

Without mental health care to process their trauma, these children are more likely to resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms—like alcohol or substance use—or repeat the cycle of violence as adults.  

But with trauma-informed care, healing and a bright future are possible. 

With the support of her nurturing caregiver and trained mental health professionals, Hannah is healing, receiving the happy, healthy childhood she deserves. She enjoys learning in her kindergarten class and playing soccer and hide-and-seek with her SOS siblings and neighbors. 

“The safer she feels, the more she overcomes her fears and finds new energy to learn and flourish,” Kassech said. “She sleeps better these days with no nightmares.”  

Because of compassionate and generous friends like you, Hannah experienced the transformative power of a loving home and mental health care. 

But there are children living in war zones without access to the critical trauma-informed care they need to heal.  

This new year, you can send a suffering child the hope and help they need when you give to the Children in Crisis Fund. 

Your meaningful gift sends life-saving mental health care and other crucial support—like a safe home, food, education and much more—to children living in conflict zones around the world.  

Join us in 2025 to ensure no child is left to face their trauma alone and help rewrite the futures of children like Hannah—from despair and fear to safety, healing and hope. 

*Child’s name changed to protect privacy.