TigerNews | Reports

The Congo Project
SE in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

We are happy to share that the FHE with Hoskinson Consulting has agreed to provide education in Somatic Experiencing® (SE) and outreach to the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. With the generous support and invitation of a well-established NGO there, we will offer the trauma healing principles of SE as a central component of the long term peace and reconciliation movement repairing war torn DRC.

For much of the last decade the DRC was caught in catastrophic turmoil that claimed the lives of at least 5.4 million people making it the largest military conflict since WWII. Consequences from the war have included widespread traumatization due to conflict, dislocation, and systematic sexual violence against women. In recent years remarkable success has been gained in developing the potential for lasting peace in DRC. This is largely due to the combined efforts of key non-governmental agencies both inside and outside the DRC. Of particular importance to this process has been the hundreds of independently organized woman-run collectives who have managed, through grass roots organization and empowerment modeling, to make significant gains in securing their food and material self-sufficiency.

With this success the ground has been laid for the renegotiation of traumatic symptoms born from the conflicts of the past and its aftermath. The resolution of traumatic symptoms has become a central concern for a lasting peace within the DRC. After extensive investigation into various trauma treatment modalities, Somatic Experiencing® has emerged as a modality of principle interest due to its ability to provide vital information and technical resources,while remaining compatible with the commitment to cultural sensitivity, local autonomy and community empowerment. This invitation to join in the movement for a lasting peace in the DRC by aiding in the reparation of traumatic symptoms particularly for victims of sexual trauma, is a great honor for Hoskinson Consulting and the FHE who are thus entering into a joint endeavor titled “The Congo Project.” with the primary aim of bringing relevant SE skills to the non-governmental organizations within the DRC so that they in turn can use these skills within their communities.

The first step in The Congo Project will be the FHE’s sponsorship and Hoskinson Consulting’s training of two delegates from the peace and reconciliation movement in DRC. Their training will begin in San Francisco in July 2008.  Then, in August, Anthony “Twig” Wheeler will travel to the DRC to visit with local community leaders and health care providers to gather information and offer introductory presentations on SE’s trauma resolution. While there, he will identify key areas where a collective effort may positively serve the interest of the peace and reconciliation movement within the DRC.

Want to help? As with all humanitarian missions of this sort, independent funding can ensure the success of these endeavors. Initiated and sustained by the people of the DRC, we are responding to a request from grassroots organizations who have the capacity to share traumahealing, but whose financial means are slim. Your tax-deductible contribution, earmarked “The Congo Project,” will be directed immediately to the support of this project, including the sponsorship of the international delegates, Twig’s journey to the DRC and further efforts that are to come.