I am happy to announce that recently I got accepted at Northeastern University to pursue a Master of Science in Global Studies and International Relations, with a concentration in peace and conflict resolution. Yes, this is a big accomplishment, but it would be unfair not to talk about where it all began. It started the day I walked into the doors of Tutapona in Rwamwanja Refugee settlement as an employee. As a young, ambitious fresh graduate with little knowledge about what I wanted to do with my life, Tutapona presented me with a life changing opportunity that opened my eyes and shaped my career path. The mentorship, training and experience I gathered from this reputable organization has enabled me to work with agencies that directly respond to the needs of people in the communities where we work. Stories from clients I worked with are humbling and inspirational. A point in case was when I returned from my work one evening and received a phone call from a person who knew me so well and was inviting me to their house to say thank you for the help that Tutapona did for them. I was shocked to learn that a family that we had advocated for and had participated in our group and one-on- one sessions was now living in Massachusetts. When they learnt that I had moved there too, they reached out to me, and we had a wonderful evening at their house talking about the times we had shared while I worked at Tutapona and while they lived in the Refugee Settlement. In their statement, they said “Tutapona was the only organization that viewed us as human beings. You always called us by our names. You did not refer to us by our numbers or refugee status. We thank you so much for all you did for us.” I felt tears of joy running down from my eyes as they said this. It was through this experience that the true meaning of the name “Tutapona” (We will be healed) manifested. They were healed and are living life like any other person. All this was possible because there was a reputable organization that provided services to them. They are now safe, have access to school, good housing, health care and employment because someone cared. We need many Tutaponas out there.This organization has been part of many success stories. These success stories are not just for the people they serve but are for their staff too. I was drawn to choose the above master’s program because I was inspired by the great work that Tutapona is doing in serving people who have experienced trauma due to war and conflict. They challenged me to be part of the solution, hence my decision to go to grad school. Like my clients, Tutapona will always be part of our success stories. Wait! Was I healed too? Yes I was and so were the many people that we served.
As a pastor I deal with death on a regular basis. A few years ago one of my parishioners committed suicide. She had tremendous issues with depression and went from doctor to doctor but no one seemed to be able to help her, and this in a country who offers lots of help in our medical system. Several months ago my daughter began a ministry with Tutapona, and I couldn’t believe what I was hearing about this group. Going into places that are war torn and have no access to mental health care, training and putting mental health folks in these places is a godsend. We as as a church are very mission oriented and we hear stories of the need with no one to meet it till now. We plan on supporting Tutapona as s body of believers in 2024, but are encouraging individual support now. We are so glad we have found this ministry and what they do!
"These could be my neighbors. This could be my family. This could be me," I have often thought watching news reports of terrified mothers and fathers and traumatized children fleeing for their lives in terrorized, bombed-out, war torn areas of the world. Feelings of helplessness and prayers for mercy are all I had to offer, yet these didn't seem enough. Since the moment my husband and I first heard of the work of Tutapona to bring emotional healing to IDP's and refugees in some of the most war-ravaged areas of the world, we began to have real hope of real help to resolve trauma in the very midst of the worst of the worst that can happen. Tutapona's use of Post-traumatic growth programing and emphasis on positive growth have made incredible impact in thousands of lives over the last 14+ years.
Our admiration and confidence in organizational wisdom and integrity have not only inspired our financial support, we have also traveled to assist with the work of Tutapona in Uganda as well as Kurdistan. There is a moment I remember in Nakavale refugee settlement in Uganda; I was sitting on a rock listening to stories refugees told of the impact Tutapona's support had in their lives. One woman holding a small child spoke of other of her children who had been killed be raiders in her village as they fled. Amazingly, her face reflected peace that she had found through program teachings, and she expressed gratitude for feelings of freedom from hatred and bitterness that had overwhelmed her for a very long time.
I'm incredibly grateful for skilled healing care and training Tutapona provides. I carry great confidence that Tutapona's efforts will make a real and lasting difference for my neighbors, my family, people who are just like me across a broken world. Sincerely, Kathleen Helgeson
Tutapona is the most amazing Christ centered organization they has laser focus on helping war effected individuals by trauma care. Tutapona has touched thousands of participants who have undergone significant healing from their traumas due to the programs.
Thank you Tutapona, keep on doing the amazing work!
One of the things I love about Tutapona is their clear mission and vision. They exist to bring emotional healing to war affected people through mental health support. In order to fulfill this mission they work with people who have been displaced by some of the biggest and most violent conflicts on the planet including the conflict in South Sudan, Syria, and the Eastern DRC. These populations have very limited access to mental health support services, and Tutapona exists to meet that need.
I also love the range of targeted and contextualized programs that they offer to war affected people. These include, a long-standing adult group therapy program, their specialized individual support sessions, a more recent children's program called Heroes Journey and a newly developed program for people struggling with addiction, called Healthy Habits. Each of these evidence-based programs is facilitated by trained local staff in the languages of the program participants.
Finally, in a field where it can be hard to measure impact, I love Tutapona's strong focus on program monitoring and evaluation. They have adopted pre and post program self-report measurement tools to assess the impact of the program in the lives of participants in domains of wellbeing and trauma symptomatology. The results indicate significant, positive change. I find this so encouraging- that people who have been forced to flee from their homes because of war and conflict can start their journey of emotional healing as a result of these targeted and contextualized mental health programs.
Tutapona has my full backing and support!
It was an honor for me to work with Tutapona as Development Director. I was so impressed by the integrity and dedication I saw in each and every staff member. Tutapona has a strong commitment to operating with respect, empathy and compassion for all program participants. Participants are treated with dignity and their stories, experiences and struggles are honored as they engage with Tutapona's programs. I was also impressed by the commitment and generosity of Tutapona's supporters. Tutapona has many long-time donors who practice generous, sacrificial giving to support Tutapona's work because they believe in the mission so strongly and because they have such faith and trust in Tutapona's leadership. I continue to be a monthly "Circle of Support" donor and Tutapona holds a special place in my heart.
When my family and I saw Tutapona's work first hand in Uganda we were so impressed by so many things! Here are a few of the things that make us want to continue to partner with Tutapona:
They train and support local people who can then provide assistance as needed to local communities
They are compassionate in the way they speak and respectful in the way they treat individuals and local communities
Every person is valuable to them and they show them with the love Jesus has for them
We continue to pray for the work of Tutapona to be blessed by God so they can continue blessing others.
Tutapona 07/21/2022
Thank you, Tina for these kind words. We appreciate you and your generosity immensely!
It would be impossible to look back on an encounter with the life-changing work that Tutapona is doing without remembering how powerful each encounter has been. The amount of healing and growth that have come forth as a result of Tutapona's work with populations affected by armed conflict is nothing short of miraculous, and it has been such an honor to bear witness to that healing over the years.
So many stories come to mind. Stories of individuals who have eagerly shared about the things they have overcome after going through one of Tutapona's programs. I cannot think of a better organization to invest in, knowing that every penny is faithfully being stewarded to bring tremendous hope to those who have experienced so much.
Tutapona 07/21/2022
Thank you Emma! These words mean a lot, especially from someone who has know our work since the beginning!
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Tutapona 07/21/2022 Thank you Peter! Your words are so kind, and we are thankful that we've been a part of your journey as much as you have been a part of ours. Working with you was a great joy!