#
3001 2nd street, Apt 301, williston, North dakota, 58801.
ratolm.usa@outlook.com
DONATE
Home ›› Completed Project

Completed Project

Completed Program Report – 2025

Dealing with the Pain and Scars of Childhood

Project Date: 19 April 2025
Delivery Mode: Hybrid (Physical & Virtual – Zoom)
Target Audience: Children and Young Adults (Ages 12–26)
Total Physical Attendance: 35 Participants
Online Participation: Multiple attendees via Zoom

Project Overview

The River and Tree of Life Foundation (RATOLF) successfully organized and completed a capacity-building program titled “Dealing with the Pain and Scars of Childhood.”

read more ➜
×

RATOLF

Completed Program Report – 2025

Project Date: 19 April 2025
Delivery Mode: Hybrid (Physical & Virtual – Zoom)
Target Audience: Children and Young Adults (Ages 12–26)
Total Physical Attendance: 35 Participants
Online Participation: Multiple attendees via Zoom

Project Overview

The River and Tree of Life Foundation (RATOLF) successfully organized and completed a capacity-building program titled “Dealing with the Pain and Scars of Childhood.”

This initiative was designed to address the long-term emotional and psychological effects of childhood trauma. The program aimed to raise awareness, provide professional mental health insight, and equip young individuals with practical coping strategies for healing and emotional growth.

Guest Speaker

Dr. Samuel Aladejare, MBBS, FWACP (Psych)

Consultant Psychiatrist | Healthcare Manager | Author
Dr. Aladejare delivered a comprehensive and deeply insightful presentation, offering both clinical knowledge and compassionate guidance tailored to young people.

Key Focus Areas Covered

The session explored the following major themes:

1. Understanding Psychological Scars
Participants learned that scars are not only physical but can also be emotional wounds resulting from traumatic life experiences.
2. Nature of Trauma
  • Trauma may result from a single event or prolonged adverse experiences.
  • Psychological trauma extends beyond Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
3. Symptoms of Trauma
  • Emotional symptoms (fear, guilt, anxiety, anger, sadness)
  • Cognitive symptoms (flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, poor concentration)
  • Behavioural changes (withdrawal, sleep disturbances)
  • Relational struggles (trust issues, isolation)
  • Physical stress-related symptoms
4. Sources of Childhood Trauma
  • Abuse, neglect, violence, accidents
  • Poverty, bullying, discrimination
  • Loss, abandonment, rejection
  • Internal struggles such as low self-esteem
5. Developmental Trauma
Special emphasis was placed on trauma occurring in infancy and early childhood, including its long-term effects on emotional regulation and relationships.
6. Healing and Recovery Strategies
  • Self-awareness and insight development
  • Practicing self-love
  • Building healthy relationships
  • Strengthening resilience
  • Seeking professional counseling or therapy
  • Engaging in structured therapeutic approaches

Participant Engagement & Impact

The program recorded strong engagement both physically and virtually. Participants actively interacted with the speaker, asked thoughtful questions, and demonstrated a high level of interest throughout the session. The interactive nature of the program created a safe and supportive environment for learning and reflection.

Project Outcomes

✔ Increased awareness of childhood trauma and its effects
✔ Improved understanding of emotional and psychological wellbeing
✔ Practical coping strategies shared with young participants
✔ Strengthened commitment to mental health advocacy within the community
The feedback received indicated that the program was impactful, informative, and highly relevant to the needs of young people.

Closing & Appreciation

The event concluded with a commemorative photo session and formal appreciation extended to the guest speaker, organizers, volunteers, and participants.

Our Continued Commitment

River and Tree of Life Foundation remains committed to promoting:
  • Mental health awareness
  • Emotional healing
  • Youth development
  • Holistic growth within communities
This completed project represents another step forward in our mission to strengthen young lives spiritually, emotionally, and socially.

Report Compiled By:

Olaosebikan Olajumoke Valentina
Secretary to the President
River and Tree of Life Foundation (RATOLF)

History Image

Dealing with the Pain and Scars of Childhood 2 (How to Discuss Your Childhood Trauma in a Healthy Way)

Project Date: 21 June 2025
Delivery Mode: Hybrid (Physical & Virtual – Zoom)
Venue (Live Broadcast): Alagbado, Lagos State, Nigeria
Target Audience: Children and Young Adults (Ages 12–26)
Physical Attendance: 38 Participants
Virtual Attendance: Additional participants joined via Zoom

Project Overview

The River and Tree of Life Foundation (RATOLF) successfully completed the second edition of its mental health awareness and capacity-building program titled:

read more ➜
×

RATOLF

Completed Program Report – 2025

Project Date: 21 June 2025
Delivery Mode: Hybrid (Physical & Virtual – Zoom)
Venue (Live Broadcast): Alagbado, Lagos State, Nigeria
Target Audience: Children and Young Adults (Ages 12–26)
Physical Attendance: 38 Participants
Virtual Attendance: Additional participants joined via Zoom

Project Overview

The River and Tree of Life Foundation (RATOLF) successfully completed the second edition of its mental health awareness and capacity-building program titled:
“Dealing with the Pain and Scars of Childhood 2 – How to Discuss Your Childhood Trauma in a Healthy Way.”

This program was designed to address lingering emotional pain and psychological scars resulting from adverse childhood experiences. It provided professional insight, emotional support, and practical coping strategies to equip young people with tools for healing and resilience.
The session forms part of RATOLF’s ongoing commitment to promoting emotional well-being, mental health awareness, and holistic youth development.

Guest Speaker

Dr. Samuel Aladejare, MBBS, FWACP (Psych)

Consultant Psychiatrist | Healthcare Manager | Author
Dr. Aladejare delivered a comprehensive and professionally guided presentation tailored to the needs of children and young adults.

Program Highlights

The session explored the following major themes:

1. Understanding Psychological Scars and Trauma
Participants gained clarity on:
  • The difference between physical and psychological scars
  • Trauma as experiences that overwhelm emotional, mental, or physical coping capacity
  • Emotional wounds resulting from distressing life experiences
2. Nature and Sources of Trauma
The session explored:
  • Trauma from single events or prolonged adverse experiences
  • Trauma beyond Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Common sources such as abuse, neglect, violence, loss, poverty, bullying, and chronic stress
3. Developmental Trauma
Special emphasis was placed on trauma occurring during infancy and early childhood, including:
  • Emotional dysregulation
  • Low self-esteem
  • Difficulty forming healthy relationships
  • Dissociation
4. Symptoms of Psychological Trauma
Participants were educated on recognizing:
  • Emotional symptoms (anxiety, fear, shame, anger, sadness, numbness)
  • Cognitive symptoms (intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, concentration difficulties)
  • Behavioral changes (withdrawal, sleep and eating disturbances)
  • Relational and stress-related physical symptoms
5. Healing and Coping Strategies
Practical tools for recovery were shared, including:
  • Developing self-awareness and insight
  • Practicing self-love and self-compassion
  • Building healthy relationships
  • Strengthening resilience
  • Seeking professional counseling or therapy
  • Allowing time for gradual healing

Engagement and Participation

The program recorded strong participation both physically and virtually.
Notably, several attendees from previous sessions returned, demonstrating growing trust, continuity, and sustained interest in RATOLF’s mental health initiatives.

The session was highly interactive, with thoughtful questions from participants. Dr. Aladejare responded with clarity, empathy, and professionalism.
After the virtual session concluded, social workers at the live broadcast venue continued engagement with participants, offering additional psychosocial support and guidance where necessary — further strengthening the impact of the program.

Outcomes and Impact

The project successfully achieved its objectives by:

✔ Increasing awareness about childhood trauma and its long-term effects
✔ Providing practical tools for emotional healing
✔ Encouraging openness and help-seeking behavior
✔ Strengthening continuity and trust among returning participants
Participant feedback indicated that the session was impactful, informative, and emotionally supportive.

Conclusion

The second edition of “Dealing with the Pain and Scars of Childhood” stands as a meaningful and successful intervention addressing critical mental health needs among children and young adults.

River and Tree of Life Foundation remains committed to sustaining programs that promote healing, resilience, and emotional well-being within communities locally and globally.

History Image