[International] Teaching the teachers: Turkish schools learn how to help traumatised Syrian refugee children

The Trauma-Informed Schools project, implemented by the Istanbul-based organisation Maya Vakfi (Maya Foundation) and supported by Theirworld, uses art therapy and other skills to provide psychosocial support to refugee children and train teachers working with them to understand the signs of trauma and help them overcome it. Until now 3500 children and 800 teachers benefited from the programe.

In 2016 Maya Vakfi was working directly with refugee children in Turkey and their parents, providing them psychosocial support. After the Turkey`s government decided to start including refugee children in regular public schools teachers in public schools were suddenly tasked with working with traumatized children, and needed training and skills to understand the effects and signs of trauma, as well as to learn how to effectively work with troubled children and help them overcome it.

Fiona Duggan, Head of Projects at Theirworld, said: “This school training programme plays a vital part in equipping teachers with the skills they need to help Syrian children manage the trauma they have experienced. So that they can fully embrace all that school has to offer, that includes learning, making friends and realising their full potential. That is why Theirworld is very proud to have supported this initiative.”

The Trauma-Informed Schools programme have five core modules including promoting positive skills, identifying emotions and managing reactions, building problem-solving skills, promoting helpful thinking, and building healthy social connections.