Trauma, the link between humans and chimpanzees
Following a day of hearing about chimpanzees at Ngamba island and at the Ugandan wildlife education centre, we focused on observing and learning about their behaviour and their stories of rescue and backgrounds. This brought up many questions for us which we discussed as a group. We then had the opportunity to raise these questions with the head vet at the centre and also a primate keeper.
As the past few days have been focused on discovering the behaviours, emotions and stories of the chimpanzees we have now begun to focus on the children, and how we can incorporate the two together.
In the afternoon we also learnt about childhood trauma in Uganda, and the differences in culture and acceptable behaviour that differens from more westernised countries.
We discussed about the feelings and emotions that may be shown by children who have been abused in some way or who have suffered other traumas in their lives. We spoke about the differnce in individuals dealing with these emotions, and how this will affect people in different ways. We also talked about the support network around the children, which again is very individual.
We also know that some work or activities may bring up memories or ‘triggers’ for the children, and how we could turn this into a positive way with the work that we will be doing. Again, we are approaching this with the children being able to express their feelings in a positive way, and allowing us to be part of what they are expressing, but to give them a safe environment to do this in. Understanding that approaching problems of trauma in an intrusive way, may cause more damage to a child emotionally once we have left.
We are now looking forward to the next few days where we will be working with two groups of children from two homeless children charities, which we visited earlier this week.
By Roger Mallins, April 6, 2010 @ 8:19 am
Good morning.I look forward to reading your blogs following your visits in the next few days.I can understand that working with these children initially it has to be at arms length without being intrusive as you have reported,but in time they,I am sure will become less introverted and more focused on a positive future.Only time will tell.
By warwick family, April 10, 2010 @ 7:58 pm
What an experience for all of you, working with such enthusiastic and inspirational people. We are really enjoying reading the blogs and look forward to the next ones. Keep up the good work. xxxx