During the first month of its new phase, the “She Matters” project continued to provide trauma healing and agriculture sessions for 100 Lebanese and Syrian women from Baalbeck, Bouday, Chlifa, Chaat, and Iaat at LOST’s Community Farm, in partnership with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). Women who have experienced hardship and violence, resulting in post-traumatic stress disorder and other psychological issues, are meeting together every week with one common goal: breaking the barriers of fear and silence.
One special experience that these women shared is using the power of candles and creating a meditative and hypnotic mood as they lit white candles for the destruction of negative energy, peace, truth, and purity. Although they hesitated, stammered, and paused, the women allowed their tongues to speak their minds and souls. The participants’ feelings of negativity were disappearing as the smoke of the candles faded away.
A remarkable impact witnessed in such projects is the fact that these women have come together and supported one another, which is in the heart of LOST’s vision. Participants began counseling each other, sharing their experiences and became closer than ever. By breaking their silence, each and every woman realized that she is not alone and that there are many women out there who have experienced trauma and went through tough times.
In the coming months, LOST’s trainers will continue to conduct trauma healing sessions at the Community Farm. Although there is a high need for such sessions in the area during these tough times in the community, LOST, along with MCC, will continue to help hundreds of women regain the capacity for resilience to live happy and healthy lives.
