Millions of Children are Trapped in Trauma
Every day, children are exploited and abused. In communities ravaged by disasters, war, and poverty, children are particularly vulnerable. They need a bridge of hope. They need you.
Learn how to set them free.
Why Our Training Works
Empowers Local People
Local people are the best people to protect and restore the children in their community from trauma. Through our workshops, local people in communities, churches and organizations are equipped and empowered to be bridges of hope who transform the lives of the vulnerable children so that they can thrive.
Anchored In Story
Story is a powerful way to transform thinking, hearts and actions. That’s why we produce and use award-winning audio dramas laced with evidence-based practices of child protection and trauma-informed care to anchor our workshops. Our programs are not only engaging, but through third party testing have been proven to be effective.
Oriented Toward Strengthening
Resilience to childhood trauma depends largely on the support available to the child. So we orient our workshops toward equipping organizations and strengthening families and communities to protect children, restore them from trauma and provide the support they need to thrive.
Stories From Our Partners
“I never imagined myself in this situation.”
Tino Rusike
Program Director for Zimbabwe
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“I never imagined myself in this situation.”
During a RiverCross training, participants gathered in small groups to put into practice what they had learned. As they talked, they were astounded to realize that so many children are going through trauma and no one is there to help them. They discussed the case of a single mother, Chipo, who sustained her family through vending. Life was good until she was forced into lockdown due to the pandemic. Her business crumbled and she resorted to sex work.
“It was not by choice that I took this route. I had never imagined myself in this situation, but seeing my kids cry every day because they want something to eat left me with no choice.”
The biggest problem that caused RiverCross Advocates to intervene quickly was that Chipo would bring her customers into the one room and the children were forced to sit outside in the cold dark night. Not only were the children scared and cold, but they were emotionally disturbed as they would see different men come and go.
RiverCross Advocates have linked Chipo with an economic serving group and she is serving with them anticipating starting a vegetable business. They are also helping with the children and providing food as they are able.
Tino Rusike, RiverCross Project Coordinator, Harare, Zimbabwe
“I prayed with her until she was able to share with me her stories.”
Nakimuli Uwera Stella
Teacher in Uganda
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“I prayed with her until she was able to share with me her stories.”
Through the RiverCross Training, I learned how to look for signs of abuse among vulnerable children. Recently, I came across a 15 year-old girl who was being abused sexually by her brother for three years. By the time I met her she had gone mute because she did not want to talk to anyone and her parents thought maybe the girl was sick. From the knowledge and skills I acquired in this training I sensed that something was not right. I befriended the girl. I taught her how to write a lament. I prayed with her until she was able to share with me her stories. I exposed the abuser and now the girl is able to speak. I thank the LORD for this wonderful training.
Nakimuli Uwera Stella, Teacher in Uganda
“I learned to protect children since they are a gift from God.”
Anyokot Oliver
School Nurse in Uganda
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“I learned to protect children since they are a gift from God.”
Through the RiverCross Training, I learned to protect children since they are a gift from God. I learned that I can bring hope to children who are hurting by encouraging them and showing them love. I learned that children who are abused show negative signs like fear of men. I also learned that I have to teach children about safe touch. This helps to create awareness, build self-esteem, and give children a way to defend themselves.
Anyokot Oliver, School Nurse in Uganda
“Our capacity has grown.”
Nowah Kakidi
Ministry Director, Global Leadership School, Busia, Uganda
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“Our capacity has grown.”
Through the RiverCross training we learned that trauma decreases cognitive ability, increases risky behaviors, often causes depression and interferes with a child’s emotional, social, and academic progress. Without a welcoming, supportive, and informed community ready to help them overcome these challenges, children may feel disconnected and misunderstood.
With the knowledge and skills acquired from the training, our capacity has grown and we are creating community awareness targeting new staff, parents, students, vendors, and the Busia community in general.
Nowah Kakidi, Ministry Director, Global Leadership School, Busia, Uganda
“We can respond more tenderly and patiently when we recognize that trauma is often in the background of these behaviors.”
Michele Suffridge
Executive Director, Refugee Hope Partners, Raleigh, NC
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“We can respond more tenderly and patiently when we recognize that trauma is often in the background of these behaviors.”
Our staff has participated in two RiverCross workshops – Holding Esther and Jabota Bridge. As a result of these workshops, our staff has a much deeper understanding of trauma impacts on the refugee individuals we serve. It has given our team a common language around the issue and has allowed us deeper compassion as we witness the impacts of trauma.
RiverCross training has given us tools to separate behavior from the person. When children act out in our programs, we are able to see the child as an image-bearer of God separate from behavior that frustrates us. We can respond more tenderly and patiently when we recognize that trauma is often in the background of these behaviors. Following the examples in the story has been key for us. Showing love and giving space is so important.
Michele Suffridge, Executive Director, Refugee Hope Partners, Raleigh, NC
“The Holding Esther audio drama is such a powerful tool that addresses so many child protection issues.”
Lauren Njungu
Project Coodinator, Tehila, Lusaka, Zambia
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“The Holding Esther audio drama is such a powerful tool that addresses so many child protection issues.”
As Tehila Zambia we partnered with RiverCross in 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic had just hit Zambia. Through our partnership with RiverCross we shared the message of child protection through a radio broadcast of the audio drama, Holding Esther. Listeners expressed how great the Holding Esther story was because it acted as a conversation starter and helped listeners talk about issues of child abuse and true life experiences. Other listeners expressed how the story was also an eye opener as it addressed issues that sometimes are overlooked when caring for children such as boundaries, grooming and helping grieving children. The Holding Esther audio drama is such a powerful tool that addresses so many child protection issues.
Lauren Njungu, Project Coodinator, Tehila, Lusaka, Zambia
The vulnerable children in your community need protection.
And when the unthinkable happens, they need restoration.
You have a passion to see the vulnerable children in your community thrive. And you know that thriving means more than having nutritious food, clean water and a good education.
Thriving means that children have real hope and are free from trauma. They are in families and communities where they are protected and restored from trauma. They are not defined by their trauma, but see themselves as Christ sees them and look to him as the author of their story and healer of their hearts.
In order to see your passion become a reality, you need to learn how to protect and restore these children from trauma.
You need to be equipped to be their advocate.
The problem is trauma training is often complex and costly. There is a lot of science behind trauma training, and while the science is important, the complexity can get in the way of equipping local people to be advocates for local children.
We believe that nothing should get in the way of equipping you to be their advocate. God has positioned you to protect the children in your family and in your community from trauma. And when the unthinkable happens, you’re there to bring restoration.
You’re there to be a bridge of hope.
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