When women enter Beautiful Dream Society’s care after the horror of human trafficking, the first few days, or even weeks, can be the most difficult for them. They are in a safe place, but that does not remove the struggles that come with the trauma they just experienced. Our Lesotho Program Director, Rebecca Lanham, recounts a time when a simple action introduced within the context of mutual support brought peace to a former victim of human trafficking in our Lesotho program.
Creating A Loving Community
“Finding ways to make the women feel comfortable, loved, and safe are vital to the first phase of their healing process. BDS Staff and House Mothers try to create a loving environment that will help ease the women into the transition from where they were to a new place of care. However, sometimes it is not the Staff or the House Mothers who make the girls feel the most welcomed. It is their fellow survivors.
I recall a time when we had a woman enter the BDS Lesotho shelter. She was struggling and having a very difficult time because of the severity of the trauma she experienced. One evening during the first few days in BDS’ care, she was not doing well. Another young woman in the shelter took notice of what was happening and decided to help in the best way she knew how: she starting coloring with her.
Coloring: A Positive Coping Mechanism
Coloring is one of many coping skills that each individual in the BDSL Dream Program learns about. It can help you calm down and relax your mind, and it was a favorite activity for the other young woman. As the women started coloring together, things started to gradually get better over the course of the evening. Everyone was relieved because of how well the coping skill worked. We were so thankful for the compassion of the other young woman, which led her to act on the behalf of someone in need. Perhaps that young woman saw a familiar pain when she witnessed her new housemate struggling and in that moment knew exactly what the new housemate needed. After all, she was once the new housemate. It is a blessing to see women grow from needing help, to freely giving help.”
Coloring didn’t solve the new young woman’s heartbreak or release her from the trauma of her past in one fell swoop. However, coloring did keep her focused in the moment. She was able to engage in an activity that didn’t focus on her past or circumstances. In a difficult moment, rather than experience an emotional setback, she created beauty that she felt good about. Then the next day, she was in a better place emotionally to continue down the path of recovery. We are so proud of these strong women and we are honored to walk their journey with them!