Our team in Oruchinga refugee settlement works hard to provide support to the community. When you come to the office, you’ll often find it empty because our team is out and about meeting with community members face to face. Here in Oruchinga, providing counseling is what we do best and having a safe and confidential environment is an important aspect of this work.
So, today we are setting out to makeover an office space into a counseling space complete with décor and objects to make children feel welcome too.
“Initially, this was just an office. It didn’t’ tell anyone this is a safe space for counseling,” explains Helen, one of our Protection Counselors in Oruchinga.
We started by moving everything out and painting the walls with positive messages and characters and scenes that would make a child feel comfortable.
Adding simple touches such as colorful walls and toys was important and Helen explained why they were so key to being able to provide counseling.
“When you come to such a space – the objects, the painting, the pictures, it all gives peace,” says Helen. “The toys are more than toys, they help the children to express what they may not say.”
Just $500 transformed this office into a safe, welcoming environment.
We hope that this transformed space provides a setting where people can seek the help they need, where they can begin to move forward, to heal and to be a part of a thriving community.
*This change brought to you by Cresa
