Helen is 14 years old and in grade 6, living at one of ChildFund Ethiopia’s intervention kebeles. She is a participant of the Child-Friendly Space (CFS) program who faced psychological/emotional distress, limited opportunities to develop social and life skills, and food insecurity caused the outbreak of the conflict. Following the conflict, she often felt withdrawn, lacked self-confidence, and found it difficult to interact with others and felt increasingly hopeless.
Through regular participation in the Child-Friendly Space, Helen received structured Psychosocial Support (PSS) services in a safe and supportive environment. She actively engaged in recreational activities, group discussions, and emotional well-being sessions that helped her express her feelings, build positive relationships, and regain confidence.
Helen also participated in life skills training, where she learned effective communication, problem-solving, decision-making, teamwork, and self-awareness. These skills enabled her to cope with daily challenges more positively and make informed decisions about her future.
Helen herself expressed “the training significantly improved my skills and brought positive changes to my daily life and my classroom status. I am feeling more confident and can communicate my ideas better.”
Over time, Helen demonstrated remarkable improvement. She became more confident in expressing her ideas, actively participated in group activities, and developed stronger relationships with her peers. Her caregivers also observed positive changes in her behavior, including improved emotional well-being, greater resilience, and increased motivation to continue her education and participate in community activities.
Today, Helen serves as a positive example to other children attending the Child-Friendly Space and formal education. Her journey demonstrates how integrated psychosocial support and life skills training can restore hope, strengthen resilience, and empower vulnerable children to overcome adversity and build a brighter future.
This publication was produced with the financial support of the German Humanitarian Assistance
Its contents are the sole responsibility of Joining Forces and do not necessarily reflect the views of the German Humanitarian Assistance.