By Funmi Ajumobi

In an effort to ensure that every child develops a positive mindset as they grow up, the Child Protection Network, Bimbo Odukoya Foundation, Hope Live Heal Foundation (HLH), and IYANIWURA Children Care Foundation,(ICCF) joined forces to celebrate Children’s Day this year with a one-day workshop on ‘Coping with Childhood Trauma’.

The workshop, held at the youth wing of the Fountain of Life Church in Ilupeju, Lagos, aimed to help secondary school students identify and cope with trauma using an Art Therapy Approach.

The organizers emphasized the importance of preventing traumatized children from growing into dysfunctional adults.

Fifty students from five secondary schools participated in the workshop, where they were encouraged to express their experiences through painting.

Speaking on the program, Aderonke Oyelakin, Lagos State Coordinator of Child Protection Network (CPN) and the Executive Coordinator of the Bimbo Odukoya Foundation, highlighted the goal of instilling a positive mindset in every child in Lagos State to prevent future mental health issues.

“The vision is to ensure every child in Lagos State has a beautiful mindset that will transit to a beautiful adulthood devoid of trauma or any form of abuse. Any trauma not dealt with at childhood will make them dysfunctional adults with mental health in future”.

Olajumoke Matilda Otitoloju, Project Coordinator of Iyaniwura Children’s Care Foundation, stressed the importance of addressing childhood trauma through art therapy to help children overcome their struggles and build a brighter future.

Iyaniwura however seeks the help of the government to allow school counselors to do their jobs by excusing them from teaching, and employing teachers for their schools because the roles of counselors in schools cannot be overemphasized in helping children to be sane in the stages of their development to adulthood.

Ibukunoluwa Balogun, Project Officer of Hope Live Heal (HLH), a UK registered organisation that empower, support and help children to speak out urged everyone to speak out and take action to support children in their communities who may be experiencing trauma.

She emphasized the importance of reporting concerns and seeking help for children in need.

“It starts with everybody. Don’t keep quiet. Report to someone who can help the child. The fact that you can see it, say something about it and make sure you take a step forward to doing something about it”. Balogun advised.

Agbaje Mubarak a student and a participant in the workshop from Estate Grammar School said it was a great opportunity for him to express himself through painting which he said was a great initiative to get rid of the negative impact of traumas he faces in school.

Agbaje said it is important for every child to have a positive mind to be able to fulfil purpose in life, and now that he has been taught how to work on his positivity instead of negativity, the sky will no longer be able to stop him.

Ogunsola Temitope, one of the teachers in attendance appreciated the organisers for the Art Based Approach, which she said has also imparted her life to want to do more for the children.

She added that giving them the room to express themselves instead of being harsh when they are withdrawn from their colleagues, will build confidence in them to express their minds.