OMAGH PROVIDES TRAUMA LESSONS FOR PEACE IN NEPAL
Omagh provides trauma lessons for peace in Nepal
BY ANTON McCABE
THE Omagh-based Northern Ireland Centre for Trauma and Transformation is now helping victims of the civil war in Nepal. Nepali social worker Bina Wagle is training in the centre which was developed from the trauma team set up after the Omagh bomb.
Bina said there are big differences between the North of Ireland and Nepal, but she was able to learn from the experience because both places have suffered violence. A vitally important lesson she has learnt is that the current situation in Nepal is like that in the North 20 years ago, when trauma was not recognised.
"In Nepalese society and services, they don't have the idea of trauma," Bina said. "Many children are traumatized.
In Nepal, it isn't recognised as trauma. They do not have resources."
There was a civil war in Nepal for 12 yeas between Maoist rebels and the government. Over 14,000 were killed. As has just happened here, the former bitter enemies have now formed a coalition government.
"More than 400 children died in bomb attacks," Bina said. "More than 14,000 women were widowed. Plenty of families are headed by children. Because of this, many young girls are involved in the sex industry. The Maoists and the government both recruit young boys."
Bina is one of the leaders of charity Kopila Nepal. Kopila means bud of flower.
In the civil war situation, they faced difficulties from both parties.
"There was more difficulty for us from the army side," she said. "As we were working in the villages, we had nothing to hide. The Maoists came, saw what we were doing, and said 'Leave them alone.' The government had questions 'Why the Maoists let you work in the villages? Are you supportive to the Maoists?'"
Kopila is also involved in helping leprosy sufferers. Leprosy is endemic in Nepal, and can be as traumatic as civil violence.
The Omagh Centre for Trauma and Transformation is helping Bina to develop a psycho-social programme for families affected by leprosy as well as the civil war.
"The idea (from here) can be similar and we can put it in our context," said Bina.
Nepal is a desperately poor country in the Himalyas north of India. It is rated 138th in the UN Human Development Index, when the Irish Republic is fourth and the United Kingdom is 18th. An indication of this is that Kopila is seeking to raise finance to buy sturdy Indian-made motorbikes for some of its workers. At present, they are working in villages which are six or seven hours walk from the nearest road.
BY ANTON McCABE
THE Omagh-based Northern Ireland Centre for Trauma and Transformation is now helping victims of the civil war in Nepal. Nepali social worker Bina Wagle is training in the centre which was developed from the trauma team set up after the Omagh bomb.
Bina said there are big differences between the North of Ireland and Nepal, but she was able to learn from the experience because both places have suffered violence. A vitally important lesson she has learnt is that the current situation in Nepal is like that in the North 20 years ago, when trauma was not recognised.
"In Nepalese society and services, they don't have the idea of trauma," Bina said. "Many children are traumatized.
In Nepal, it isn't recognised as trauma. They do not have resources."
There was a civil war in Nepal for 12 yeas between Maoist rebels and the government. Over 14,000 were killed. As has just happened here, the former bitter enemies have now formed a coalition government.
"More than 400 children died in bomb attacks," Bina said. "More than 14,000 women were widowed. Plenty of families are headed by children. Because of this, many young girls are involved in the sex industry. The Maoists and the government both recruit young boys."
Bina is one of the leaders of charity Kopila Nepal. Kopila means bud of flower.
In the civil war situation, they faced difficulties from both parties.
"There was more difficulty for us from the army side," she said. "As we were working in the villages, we had nothing to hide. The Maoists came, saw what we were doing, and said 'Leave them alone.' The government had questions 'Why the Maoists let you work in the villages? Are you supportive to the Maoists?'"
Kopila is also involved in helping leprosy sufferers. Leprosy is endemic in Nepal, and can be as traumatic as civil violence.
The Omagh Centre for Trauma and Transformation is helping Bina to develop a psycho-social programme for families affected by leprosy as well as the civil war.
"The idea (from here) can be similar and we can put it in our context," said Bina.
Nepal is a desperately poor country in the Himalyas north of India. It is rated 138th in the UN Human Development Index, when the Irish Republic is fourth and the United Kingdom is 18th. An indication of this is that Kopila is seeking to raise finance to buy sturdy Indian-made motorbikes for some of its workers. At present, they are working in villages which are six or seven hours walk from the nearest road.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1895
Published Date: 12-Apr-07
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