The Nachan Project brings mindfulness-based practices to the women and children living in the Katwe and Kisenyi slums of Kampala, Uganda and trauma informed trainings to social workers, street counselors and caregivers in East Africa. 

 

Twice weekly, Nachan trainers share practices with the women so they can learn now to regulate their nervous systems which have been adversely affected due to past and current traumatic events. Many of the women suffer from Continuous Traumatic Stress Syndrome and experience anxiety, depression, dissociation, insomnia, hyper-vigilance, GI issues and chronic pain as well as many other issues which make surviving in extreme poverty even more difficult. By regulating their nervous systems, the women will better be able to provide safe and secure attachment figures for their children as well as procure income to afford an education for their children. It is the only way the cycles will end. 

 

Nachan also provides food and psycho-social support during the group meetings as well as medical care, vaccination outreach for Hepatitis and Typhoid and prevention education for HIV/AIDS. 

 

Utilizing a “Train the Trainer” methodology, Gina leads trainings for street counselors, social workers, trauma therapists, and humanitarian aid workers so they may share practices with the vulnerable populations they work with as well as aid in their own self-care. Many caregivers suffer from empathy fatigue and vicarious trauma which leads to burn-out and decline in employment. 

 

Our long-term goal of providing employment to the street counselors, social workers, and specifically the women of the Katwe slums will result in practical, sustainable and  culturally aware, interventions for trauma. 

 

Through mind body practices we restore resiliency and are better able to maintain mental, emotional and physical health and well-being. 

 

Nachan promotes the ability to move beyond surviving into thriving.