Afran lost some of his closest friends to ISIS. He struggled in the camp, battling negative thoughts and coming to terms with his situation. But after getting the support he needed, he now is inspired to help others like him! He is studying psychology at the local University with the goal of becoming a therapist and continuing the ripple effect of healing and hope!

Julien was left beaten and broken. He was left to die and thought his family suffered the same fate. But after making it back to physical health he made his way to Uganda where miraculously he found his family. But his troubles did not end here. He was plagued by the traumatic experiences he faced and overwhelmed, rejected, and alone. That’s when he met us at Tutapona. Now, he says he is a different person- he feels loved, he feels seen, and he is on a journey to healing and a better future for him and his family. Read his story here!

No mother should ever have to watch her child die. Especially when that child was supposed to be safe. No mother should have to broker a peace deal between two tribes to put an end to retribution killings. But that’s what she did because she was taught that revenge only causes more pain. Agnes is a light in her tribe.

He had everything, he was his community leader, wealthy & influential, until ISIS came and took it all. He had to run, feeling like a coward, like a man full of shame. But now he is full of confidence and hope. Rasm is a light to his community.

Just nine years old, Jalisa doesn’t remember life in her home village. What she does know is life in a refugee camp and all of its struggles. With Tutapona by her side, Jalisa is learning how to handle and grow from life’s difficulties, finding peace and hope amidst displacement and uncertainty.

After escaping to a ‘safe’ place, she continued to experience horrors unspeakable. She had nowhere to turn, no hope of justice or redemption. But then a friend told her about Tutapona and she found healing. Nahema is a light to her children and other women in her community.

In the refugee settlement where Isaiah has lived since he was six, he experienced abuse and was ostracized by his peers, but he won’t let that keep him discouraged any longer. He believes in his future and is now determined to finish school and work towards his future goals.

The only thing that kept her alive, was her children. She met Tutapona right at the time she was at her lowest. She learned about the power of community. Now, she lives not only for her children but to others in her village. Francine is a light to her neighbors.

Clutching her newborn, Sera ran from ISIS up Shingal mountain. Hidden for 9 days while enduring hunger and thirst, she fought to keep her baby alive amid the death and suffering around her. The journey became increasingly difficult as her daughter was just hanging onto life. Despite the devastation she faced when they fled ISIS, this mother can now put on courage and look towards the future with HOPE, providing for her children even in the hardest of circumstances.

Kado had a good life – he was working, he had a small farm. He had everything he needed, that is until the rebels came. With his injured wife, they ran with nothing but the shirts on their back. He thought his life was over, but Tutapona told him he could start again.

“I share my story because I want people to know what the people in Shingal saw and that people suffered. I want people to know what ISIS did to our people there. All the people suffered there and the mental health was so bad.

Thank you for this program. This program is useful for peoples’ mental health. I thank God I’m good now. I’m feeling peace.” -Kuvan

Read everything Kuvan wants to share with you here.

This is a story about a Father and Son, their unique experiences fleeing their home, and their unique journey towards healing together.

Gilya’s story is one of love and strength- a journey from heartbreak to hope. After ISIS came, she had no safer alternatives but to get on a boat with her four young children. And after getting stranded and rescued, her struggles continued- widowed and displaced in a camp. But her strength carried her through, and after attending Tutapona’s program, she not only has courage but HOPE for her future and for her children.

She was held in captivity for 2 and a half years, sold as a ‘wife’ to an ISIS soldier. Her son developed a disability and when she finally escaped she felt like life was over. But then she discovered hope. Shana is a light to her son.

Raising a family in a refugee settlement is difficult. Not only do you face the challenges of poverty and unemployment, but you also face the emotional effects of leaving everything behind in your home country fleeing war and conflict. But Rachel now sees the challenges she has faced as an opportunity to build her future, grow stronger, and have hope.

When the war broke out, Geoffrey had to leave everything behind in his trek to safety. When he made it to Uganda, he had to start from nothing while his stress kept him awake at night and physically ill. But through Tutapona’s group program he was able to process his difficult experiences and rise out of the challenges he was facing. Now, even though he still faces difficulties in life, he is living happily, sleeping soundly, and choosing light over darkness.