Did you know that many of the most prevalent and chronic diseases of adulthood are rooted in children’s experiences? When children experience significant adversity, this can disrupt other systems in the body, causing effects that have lifelong implications for health and well-being1. And yet, there is hope. Child-centered support and quality care fosters healthy development and can provide pathways to healing and resilience.
Children of the Nations (COTN) works in 5 countries, providing children with holistic care they need and deserve.
As the Social and Physical Care Program Leader for Children of the Nations International, I’m excited to cheer along the in-country staff as they work toward our end results.
Social care end result: children who can integrate their past experiences into their lives, maintain connections with their communities, achieve lasting and meaningful relationships, and thrive in school and in the workplace.
Physical care end result: children who are physically healthy with the ability to demonstrate and promote health in their lives, communities, and beyond.
May 2025 Update
Trauma Informed Care Training for Staff
Social care staff from five countries are starting the next phase of their training to become Trauma Competent Care trainers. Why is it so crucial to become trauma-informed caregivers? The dedicated national staff in each country strive to provide the highest quality care. They understand the profound impact of trauma, grief, and pain on many children. By learning to respond effectively to behaviors and emotions stemming from trauma, caregivers can offer specialized support that fosters healing and resilience. Although this journey can be challenging, it ultimately leads to children who feel understood, loved, and connected. These emotionally healthy children can embrace their stories and God-given gifts to aim for their goals and community transformation.
The English course began on Friday, April 25, and the Spanish course will start on May 30. After completing this course and one additional training course, participants will be fully qualified to educate others within COTN and their communities.
One staff member from Uganda has already completed his training. He attended an in-person training in Uganda in March!
Trauma Free World provides these trainings at a discounted rate to professionals in Africa and the Caribbean. Thanks to your generosity, COTNI can offer scholarships to help cover some of the additional costs for these dedicated staff members.
Sierra Leone Trip
This spring, I have the chance to travel to Sierra Leone to meet social care staff in person for the first time. We will discuss the new Child Protection Policy and how it applies to COTN-Sierra Leone. We will also look at ways to improve our monitoring and evaluation efforts. Together with the Physical Care department, we will conduct a health survey among program participants to learn more about our impact on the health of children at COTN.
To keep their administrative costs as low as possible, COTN asks all of its international staff to raise funds to support their department. Will you partner with me to support these initiatives to enhance the care of COTN children around the world?
1) National Scientific Council on the Developing Child (2020). Connecting the Brain to the Rest of the Body: Early Childhood Development and Lifelong Health Are Deeply Intertwined Working Paper No. 15. Retrieved from www.developingchild.harvard.edu.