About Trauma Healing Network
Trauma does not have the last word! A new beginning is possible.
Trauma Healing Network was established in 2012 by Dr Schalk WJ Botha, a Trauma Therapist and Resilience Coach, to facilitate emotional healing in the face of trauma and to empower Namibian communities to deal with their heart wounds more effectively and to form a mutual support network across the country.
Who We Are
Trauma Healing Network is a registered Welfare Organization (WO 459) in Namibia since 2016, registered with the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS). We have a Governance Board with a Constitution.
We focus on:
- The emotional wellbeing of people.
- Equipping people to have the necessary resilience skills to cope more effectively with life’s challenges.
- Facilitating well-established programs for children, teenagers, and adults.
- Building the of capacity of community leaders and volunteers to address the emotional needs of people.
Offering professional and community counselling.
Why Do We Exist
People in Namibia often do not have access to emotional support during traumatic times because support services are neither readily available nor affordable to everyone. This is especially the case with rural, vulnerable and less privileged people.
The goal of Trauma Healing Network is to cultivate communities that are not only able to handle their own trauma effectively but can also form a mutual support base. We believe that volunteers in the community can support the emotional wellbeing of community members.
Furthermore, we see our responsibility to activate individual and corporate funders to invest in the wellbeing of Namibian individuals and communities who cannot afford emotional support services. We add our professional services aim towards the sustainability of the organization’s community support.
What Is Our Dream
We want to see that emotional support services reach the most vulnerable people in Namibian communities and those who cannot afford emotional support during challenging times.
We want to give all Namibians the opportunity to experience a new beginning, based on hope, healing and the ability to cope effectively. This means that we want to extend our programs and training to communities all over Namibia.
Our biggest dream is to be self-sustainable through our professional work so that we can serve all Namibian people towards the healing of heart wounds and to move forward disregard their life challenges.
We invite individuals, corporates and foundations to invest in our work; we can be the extension of your vison and passion through our programs and networks.
What Are Our Values
- Our organization is based on a Chistian-Biblical ethos, although we are open to work with people from different religious perspectives.
- While we are working professionally in corporate contexts, our community projects and programs in Namibia have Bible Engagement at its core.
- Our community projects and programs are based on trauma informed knowledge and practices according to the latest scientific research but fully adapted to the Namibian context and needs of people on the ground and in various settings.
- We believe that trauma hits all people, cultures and social levels equally hard and that all traumatized people must have an equal opportunity to experience hope, healing and a new way forward.
- We respect people, their viewpoints, beliefs, culture and, based on that, we commit to confidentiality and compassion.
- All our work is understandable, practical, engaging, impact-driven, adaptable for different audiences and contexts.
“The wound is the place where the Light enters you.”
~ Rumi
“Healing takes time, and asking for help is a courageous step.”
~ Mariska Hargitay
“Trauma creates change you don’t choose. Healing is about creating change you do choose.”
~ Michelle Rosenthal
Faces behind Trauma Healing Network.
The work of trauma healing is human work.
Behind every retreat, camp and counselling session is someone who chose
to be trained to sit with pain so others don’t have to sit alone.
Dr Schalk Botha founded Trauma Healing Network in 2012. He holds the national vision for Trauma Healing Network across Namibia.
Founder & Director
Admin & Marketing Assistant
Counselor and Wellness Facilitator
Newly established Committee
Dr Schalk Botha
Founder & Director
Mrs. Bernada Nghikevali
Admin & Marketing Assistant
Mrs. Celest Allies
Board Member
Mrs. Violette Mureko
Board Member
Ms. Ritjaa Sirika
Committee Member
Our Method
Our program is simple. We bring groups of people together in a safe space where a facilitator helps them move towards healing. It is a holistic and Bible-based program to help people understand that trauma affects every part of their existence: mind, body, and spirit.
During the lessons, we use art, stories, activities, and questions to help people engage with themselves, the Lord, the Bible, and others.
Our Materials
Our materials are based on the Colour-Me-Healed™ concept, which features a set of practical lessons that lead people on a journey of healing. The Bible plays a core role in our process, where we use different colours to help individuals move forward.
The process initiated by the lessons of each colour takes a traumatized person from the greyness of trauma to the greenish of new growth.
Mental Health and Biblical insights
Our programs are designed for anyone to use, with simple language and clear ideas that are easy to understand. It works in small groups, led by trained facilitators who don’t need to be professional counselors. Trauma Healing Network trains and equips people and organizations to put this method into practice themselves in their own work and ministry.
We integrate both mental health, knowledge, practices and Biblical insights on the journey towards healing.
