A Healing Journey: Overcoming Trauma Through Education in Nigeria's Lafiya Sarari School

In a serene part of Maiduguri, Nigeria, children gather at Lafiya Sarari School, ready with their notebooks and pencils, embodying a remarkable story of resilience and hope. The comfort of a calm morning offers a stark contrast to the turmoil many of these children have faced during their early years; years marked by insecurity, forced displacement, and profound loss. For them, school is not just an educational institution, but a sanctuary for healing and rediscovery.

Background of Conflict and Trauma

The long-standing violence perpetrated by Boko Haram and other insurgents has had devastating effects on countless children in northeastern Nigeria. Schools, homes, and communities have often been targets of attacks and abductions. Each student at Lafiya Sarari carries personal stories of trauma, making this school a beacon of hope amidst despair. One such student, Fatima, has found a new path to a brighter future within these walls.

Fatima recalls the harrowing day in 2014 when Boko Haram struck her hometown. "The attack was loud and terrifying. I had to hide with my family," she recalls. They believed they would be safe once the noise subsided, but unfortunately, they were captured and taken to a rebel camp, where Fatima endured horrors no child should ever face, including witnessing her father’s death.

After a desperate eleven-day escape through treacherous conditions, Fatima found herself displaced and hopeless. The thought of returning to school felt impossible. It wasn’t until she joined the restorative education program at Lafiya Sarari that she began to see a path forward. Here, she experienced stability, routine, and a renewed sense of support.

A Revolutionary Initiative for Healing

The transformative education offered at Lafiya Sarari is powered by an initiative led by the Global Survivors Fund, in partnership with the Neem Foundation and local groups. Supported by Education Cannot Wait (ECW), the program provides trauma-informed, reparative education for children impacted by sexual violence related to the conflict in Borno State.

With an emphasis on teaching values like peace, respect, and tolerance—principles that Boko Haram has systematically opposed—students are taught at their own pace over a six-year period. This unique framework allows them to gradually rebuild their academic foundations while also addressing their emotional well-being.

The commitment to holistic education at Lafiya Sarari is reflected through the school’s staffing—a mix of 17 teachers, two counselors, and four psychologists, all trained to address trauma and provide psychological first aid. Fostering a safe environment is paramount. As one psychologist notes, many students initially arrived overwhelmed by anxiety and sadness, finding it difficult to engage in typical classroom activities. Through creative arts, movement, and individualized support, their barriers began to dissolve, allowing students to express their emotions in healthy ways.

Creating Paths for Futures

The ECW-backed initiative aims to reintegrate students like Fatima back into the educational system with dignity and security while providing tailored support. Through survivor participation in shaping the educational framework, the program ensures that their voices are heard in defining what healing and learning mean for them.

Fatima’s journey through the program is a testament to resilience. Now fully engaged and having completed the program, she looks ahead with renewed confidence. “Everything we need to succeed is provided here. This school gives us hope,” she declares, inspiring her peers as they walk through the doors of Lafiya Sarari, seeking brighter futures.

This narrative underscores a profound truth: with support, education becomes a tool not only for learning but also for healing. In the context of Northern Nigeria, where education is a battle against the tide of violence and stigma, children like Fatima demonstrate that hope and recovery are indeed possible through supportive educational frameworks.