After School Building Collapse in Jos, Catholic Women in Nigeria Plan Trauma Healing Sessions for Survivors

Jos, 20 July, 2024 / 10:00 PM

Members of the Catholic Women Organization (CWO) of Nigeria have announced plans to organize trauma healing sessions for the victims and survivors of the July 12 collapse of the Saints Academy school building in the Busa Buji community of Jos.

In an interview with ACI Africa on the sidelines of a visit by CWO members to survivors at the Jos University Teaching Hospital and Bingham University Teaching Hospital, CWO National President Dame Mary Asibi Gonsum highlighted the situation of the victims and survivors and explained their urgent need for emotional and psychological support. 

“One of the boys, an altar server, asked his mother if the tragedy was real or a dream. Another girl wakes up at night, haunted by the memory of her seven classmates lying dead,” Mrs. Gonsum shared, adding, “One mother told us that her son wakes up at night, holding her tight as if something is chasing him.”

CWO National President Dame Mary Asibi Gonsum. Credit: CWO

“These are all signs of trauma from what happened. We are making an effort to organize trauma healing sessions for these victims by next week, by the grace of God. These children need help to overcome their trauma,” the CWO National President in Nigeria said during the Thursday, July 18 interview.

The board member of the World Union of Catholic Women Organization (WUCWO) representing West Africa said CWO members plan to engage health workers from local hospitals to facilitate the sessions. 

Credit: CWO

“I’ve spoken with the heads of some local health institutions, and they have sections dedicated to trauma care. We are communicating with them to provide the necessary support,” Mrs. Gonsum said.

The CWO’s initiative goes beyond immediate emotional support, she further said, adding that they aim to ensure that such a tragedy does not deter students from continuing with the pursuit of their education.

Credit: CWO 

“We want to assure the students that they should not lose hope or fear going to school again. Education is a civic duty, and they must not be discouraged by this unfortunate event,” she said.

The goal, the CWO President in Nigeria continued, “is to ensure that these young ones receive the care and support they need to heal and move forward.”

Credit: CWO

At least 22 people, including students, died after the two-story school building belonging to Saints Academy collapsed during school hours. A total of 154 people were trapped under the debris, and everyone apart from those who died was eventually rescued and treated for injuries in various hospitals.

Following the incident, Archbishop Matthew Ishaya Audu of Nigeria’s Catholic Archdiocese of Jos expressed his sorrow, saying he was “deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident that led to the loss of human lives.”

Credit: CWO

“Today, during Mass, we prayed for those who have died and for those injured,” Archbishop Ishaya told ACI Africa in a July 13 interview.

In the July 18 interview with ACI Africa, the CWO National President in Nigeria said their visit meant to “commiserate with” those affected by the July 12 tragedy.

Credit: CWO 

“We went to these hospitals to commiserate with our brothers and sisters in Christ who have lost their loved ones and to encourage those that survived the tragic incident that God is still alive and in control,” Mrs. Gonsum said. 

She added, “As mothers, we went there to encourage the victims of this unfortunate incident to know that God still loves them.”

Credit: CWO

“Motherly care and love for our children motivated us. As Christian mothers, it is our mandate to serve humanity and do the work of God. Our visit aimed to foster peace and unity among the community and assure them that God is still in control,” Mrs. Gonsum told ACI Africa on July 18.