Healing Trauma, Building Peace, Living Reconciliation.
This triad describes the vision we strive for.
We support people who are suffering from the consequences of war and violence through:
- Trauma trainings in Germany and abroad for people in helping professions
- Peace building and dialogue activities with youth and young adults
- Trauma therapy and counseling
- Raising public awareness of the issue of violence and its social impact
Wings of Hope Germany is a non-profit foundation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria based in Munich, Nuremberg and Ruhpolding.
We work in Germany and together with partner organizations in Brazil, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kurdistan-Iraq, Palestine and Israel, Ukraine and Central America.
Effects of Trauma
When people experience war and violence, it leaves behind not only physical wounds, but above all impairments to the mental health. Trauma is associated with the experience of loneliness, powerlessness and helplessness. Trust in oneself, in others and in the world is shaken.
This affects not only individuals, but also social relationships and community life.
Unprocessed trauma can thus once again contribute to the emergence and escalation of conflict and violence.
Trauma and Peacebuilding
To counteract these experiences, people need places of safety, the connection with a community, and the experience of being able to make a difference. This creates hope that things can get better.
Healing trauma: People find their way back to a life that they can actively shape in connection with others.
Building peace and living reconciliation: Only when people have overcome and come to terms with their experiences of violence are they free to live together peacefully again. Trauma care is therefore always also peace building.
