If you think you are too small to make a difference…

If you think you are too small to make a difference,
try sleeping with a mosquito.
– Dalai Lama

Hi everyone,

In 2004, reading about the two-decade long civil war in Sudan had a big influence on me. In true synchronicity, after months of pondering how we could change the Western model of trauma recovery to better accommodate the globe’s mass PTSD epidemic, I met Dr. David Berceli. He had just returned to the U.S. after one of his many trips teaching trauma recovery in South Sudan. I had only just started wondering about how we could change the recovery paradigm; he had been working in conflict zones around the world for many years showing exactly how it could be done.

As many of you know, later this year we will be launching the third phase of our project, Trauma Recovery for East African Refugees in San Diego, using the same method, Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE), that Dave has taught in more regions of the world than I can easily list here in this email. San Diego is home to about 4000 Sudanese and 20,000 Somalis, as well as many more who came to the US as refugees from other East African countries. Our 2012 needs assessment found more than 80% suffer from at least mild symptoms of unresolved trauma.

I mention that for two reasons.

First, on April 17, the commemorative film event will be about Sudan, and I really hope you will be there.

Rather than showing a full-length documentary, we will be screening a collection of short films. Unlike the other film series events commemorating past genocides, this one is ongoing. We will be showing film clips that are very recent so as to convey what the current situation on the ground is like.

Second, we are still fundraising for Trauma Recovery for East African Refugees in San Diego and your one-time or monthly contribution to this project would be greatly appreciated. Please help us make sure we are able to launch according to schedule. To donate click here.

For info on all six events, film trailers, and to RSVP, see:  Remembering the Past toward Healing our Future.
The events are free, but space is limited, so please RSVP on the web site.
(And make sure to view the Sudan event trailer on the web site. It features an incredibly well-done, highly informative interview with Mukeph Kapila giving a broad overview of what is happening in Sudan.)

Warmly,

Barbara English, LMFT
Founder & Executive Director, Living Ubuntu
livingubuntu.org
(949) 891-2005

[Ubuntu] n. Every human being truly becomes a human by means of relationships with other human beings.