For the last several years, Haiti has been hit with a barrage of devastation. Riots in the streets, road and school closures, and the loss of their President are among the reasons Hatians have grown accustomed to disruption – in schedules, in learning, in traveling. Visiting mission teams are currently unable to visit Haiti, but staff have continued in providing the care every child and family deserves. Through innovative and creative ways, staff still ensure the children receive the nourishment, education, and social/emotional support they need to thrive.

All Back2Back staff are trained in Trauma Competent Caregiving; it allows staff to better understand the children, teens, and families they’re serving, offering them a safe space and a conduit of healing in their lives. Recently, two Haiti staff members became Trauma Competent Caregiver Affiliate Trainers. This is a positive step forward for the Haiti site, as other staff, local organizations, and Haitian nationals no longer have to rely on unreliable internet or someone flying in to share the training.

Recently, Lucson Jeannot, Staff Programs Director, and Edelaine Theosmy, Staff Social Worker, led their first ever Trauma Competent Care training for the Haiti site staff. While this first training was just for Back2Back staff, the team is hopeful the campus will be used for training local churches, schools, and other organizations in the future. Over the last three years, many site staff have been hired, and this was their first opportunity for a full three-day training.

Edelaine shared, after the first full day, “The training was so well received. Staff had so many questions that we had to limit time to get through all the modules. Becoming a trainer has been a dream come true for me.”

In addition to being staff affiliate trainers, Lucson and Edelaine are also working to translate training materials in order to share them more widely with community partners in other areas of Haiti, equipping more organizations in-country to respond in trauma-informed ways. This is just one way Back2Back staff facilitate both depth and breadth of care. Hope does not stand still, and all over the world, staff are all in to ensure it remains that way.

Please join Back2Back in prayer over these trainings that happen globally. Pray for softened hearts and open minds and for true healing and recovery to take place.