Strong support from PEACE

A SUPPORT group for refugee women that focuses on dealing with trauma and learning English launched last week.

The group, Positive Empathy and Community Engagement, focuses on integrating refugee woman into the community in a safe environment.

PEACE has grouped psychologists and teachers to teach English and treat trauma.

Group member and psychotherapist Laanie Metcalfe said it was important to be free from stress in a learning environment.

“Stress heavily impedes the learning process. To learn a new skill, the nervous system can’t be under attack,” she said.

Teacher Lian Campbell Eagles said psychotherapy was the first step in the healing process.

“Because unless you do the healing first, there is no place in the brain for learning when you’re still in that state of trauma,” she said.

“This is our way of welcoming them and providing them with the tools to comfortably live and integrate into the community.”

Psychologist Vicky Drummond said some of the women experienced horrific conditions and the program provided a safe and stress-free learning environment.

“Some of these women are non-verbal due to the trauma inflicted on them by ISIS,” she said.

“It’s important that we have some fun and build trust.”

PHOTOS: BEV LACEY LANGUAGE THERAPY: Reham with her son Nabeel and daughter Aseel with Rojin Rash who has volunteered as interpreter.

Volunteer teachers for PEACE Lian Campbell Eagles (left) and Leslie Bonhomme.

At the PEACE launch are (from left) Amsha with daughter Ravin, Rula with son Karam and Reham with son Nabeel and daughter Aseel.