Kenya Trauma Healing Camps 2026 by Sven Olson
Our 2026 Kenyan Trauma Healing Camps served over 160 children, 8-12 yrs old, proving to these families that your giving over this last year has made a significant difference in their lives. Each participant is screened and diagnosed with PTSD from conflict, neglect, or domestic violence, and every single child leaves that Healing Camp a different child. They better understand
· that the past does not dictate their future.
· That the community of support is there each day to lift them up and empower them towards a stronger faith-filled future.
In the “Balloon Balance” activity, they learned about the importance of allowing others to help them achieve their goals, and that God has a plan for their lives far greater than what they might imagine. In the “Sticky Situation” activity, they are each physically “stuck” together to represent the web of connections representing the people that love and care for them. The sticky tape connections are their parents, teachers, social workers, and school nurses that dedicate themselves each day to help that student become the child God designed to become… not what was… but a brighter future than any dark past.
In the opening and closing sessions, the camp facilitators led the children in songs and cultural dances, while the Missions Team fired “bubble guns” and launched beach balls into the crowd to energize and excite each child for the day. To say that the energy and excellence this year far exceeded previous years would be an understatement. This OBI partnership and our work to pilot these Trauma Healing Camps with Missions of Hope Schools across Kenya have proven that fun experiential lessons are a pathway to deep healing and changing the futures of these children and their families. We are especially excited to see how God will continue to see this ministry grow and expand both near and far.
By Sven, “Sveno” Olson
Board Member /Adjunct Professor
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