– The trauma Boko Haram victims have been subjected to cannot be quantified
– An international Non-Governmental Organisation is helping the victims overcome their experiences
– The project is called ‘Healing Through Art’
Zekeriya Ibrahim, 12, started drawing men with guns immediately a paper and pencil was handed to him by volunteers of the International Coalition for the Eradication of Hunger and Abuse (ICEHA) in the Internally Displaced Perosns (IDPs) camp in Durumi, outskirts of Abuja.
Zekeriya Ibrahim drawing ‘Boko Haram fighters’
‘’I am drawing Boko Haram that is coming here (pointing to his paper),” Ibrahim told ZENITHBLOG.com, ‘’that one now say, eh don’t fear he is a soldier, after that they will start killing people, they will start running.’’
Little girls in Durumi IDP camp drawing during the ‘Healing Through Art’ campaign
Ibrahim was drawing from experience. He had witnessed Boko Haram attacks in his village in Gworza, Borno state.
A little boy displays his work of art during the ‘Healing Through Art’ project
READ ALSO: Boko Haram: Diplomatic betrayal and politics by Bukar Raheem
Like the stories that have been repeatedly told, the insurgents wear military uniforms and invade villages leaving the locals confused whether they are security agencies or terrorists.
When asked if he has seen Boko Haram members before, Yunusa Baba, 12, answered to the affirmative and added, ‘’they can shoot any person.’’
A boy puts up his hand filled with colouring for ZENITHBLOG.com camera at the ‘Healing Through Art’ campaign
For Kaltume Umaru, 10, it was silence all the way, but she was able to put down her thoughts through her drawing.
Aisha Musa display her painting at the ‘Healing Through Art’ project
Founder and Executive Director of ICEHA, Carolyn Ronis says many of the children have known nothing of peace.
Carolyn Ronis, Founder and Executive Director of ICEHA
Her words: ‘’They have only known terror and further victimization by hunger, by disease after escaping Boko Haram. They are re-victimized.
‘’A lot of these children need to heal from the pscho-social wounds. What happens here today, with these children, will affect the world.”
READ ALSO: Troops arrest Boko Haram suspect with N1.3m cash
ICEHA has been visiting IDP camps all over Nigeria helping to restore the emotional wounds of war faced by Boko Haram vicitims.
A volunteer of ICEHA tending to one of the kids in the IDP camp
The group says it’s ‘Healing Through Art’ campaign will help stop the perpetuation of terrorist acts by generations to come.
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