About the Project
The project consisted of helping internally displaced children develop personal tools to overcome stress and trauma.
Location
Muea Primary School, Buea subdivision, Southwest Cameroon
Quick Project Stats
| Funding Date | October 2024 – March 2025 (2 cohorts) |
| Luena Investment | $5,500 |
| CBO Partner | Action For Change (AFC) |
| Village | Muea |
| Country | Cameroon |
| # of Children Impacted | 160 |
| Community Contribution | administrative support |
Internally Displaced Children Live With Traumatic Memories of Conflict
The Anglophone crisis, which started in 2016, still has a lot of repercussions on thousands of internally displaced children (IDPs) in the western regions of Cameroon. Most of the school-aged IDPs (6 to 14 years) have terrible stories and experiences caused by the ongoing conflict in the two English-speaking regions of Cameroon. Some have experienced their friends, siblings, or parents shot in front of them either by rebels or government forces. Some have lived in the forest for as long as five years, coming in contact with wild animals and snakes. This has traumatized most of these IDP children and is still having negative effects, even in their host communities today. 80% of the IDP children still have nightmares about these experiences.
Without proper psychosocial support, these children risk long-term emotional and cognitive challenges. Trauma interferes with their ability to learn, build relationships, and envision a hopeful future. Many internalize feelings of hopelessness, while others express their pain through behavioral issues. In several cases, extremely vulnerable children (i.e, orphans), become susceptible to recruitment or association with separatist factions who continue to terrorize rural communities.
Psychologist-Led Workshops Support Child Wellbeing
This project is designed to create a holistic approach to healing children affected by war, recognizing the unique challenges they face. Each 10-session program was facilitated by ten psychology graduates from the University of Buea who had themselves been trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and HeartMath® techniques that focus on self-regulation, stress management and resilience-building. The sessions incorporate interactive activities, stories, role-playing, and creative exercises to engage the children. Each session is themed around a specific emotional concept (e.g., happiness, sadness, anger) and incorporates a mix of educational activities, group discussions, and coping techniques. Regular supervision of facilitators was performed to ensure program fidelity and provide support for handling challenging situations. The program emphasizes the importance of respecting cultural norms, privacy, and confidentiality.
Our efforts benefited over 160 vulnerable children in class 5 & 6 in two separate cohorts conducted in October-December 2024 and January-March 2025. The project was deemed of high importance by the school teachers and children because it has strengthened and stabilized most of the children that were suffering from trauma. Children now know the various therapies to use to regulate their emotions. The program is designed for children aged 5-14 years.
Impact & Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Luena Foundation’s PSS Program
The PSS program aims to improve the emotional resilience, psychological well-being, and social functioning of internally displaced children affected by trauma. By equipping them with coping strategies, the program reduces symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD while fostering a sense of safety, emotional regulation, and peer connection. Strengthening their mental health also enhances their ability to focus in school, engage positively with their community, and envision a hopeful future.
Key Observations:
✔️ Increased ability to identify and express emotions
✔️ Improved social interactions and peer relationships
✔️ Enhanced stress management and coping skills
KPIs:
✔️WHO-5 Well-being Index +30% (increase in overall well-being)
✔️Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) +28% (reduction in behavioral issues)
✔️Revised Children’s Anxiety & Depression Scale (RCADS-25) -23% (decrease in anxiety and depression symptoms)
Program Effectiveness & Sustainability:
✔️Program Completion Rate: 88% of children completed all 10 sessions
✔️ Facilitator Retention Rate: 85% (consistency in trained staff)
✔️Parental & Teacher Feedback: 92% positive response on observed behavioral improvements
✔️Community Engagement: Parents and teachers trained in basic emotional support techniques
Long-Term Impact Goals:
✔️Emotional Resilience: Reduce long-term effects of PTSD, anxiety, and depression
✔️Improved Learning Outcomes: Better concentration and classroom participation
✔️Reduced Vulnerability: Lower risk of child recruitment into separatist groups
✔️Community Strengthening: Stronger support networks for displaced families
Meet our Partner Community-Based Organization
Action for Change (AFC) works to empower disadvantaged rural communities for the fight against unemployment, illiteracy, poverty, violence against women and environmental destruction.
To learn more about our partner organization, click here.
