Trauma Healing

The Bible Society of the South Pacific is privileged to play a pivotal role this year in the establishment and continued development of the Trauma Healing ministry in Fiji and other Pacific countries. This has been made possible through the encouragement of the General Secretary, Mr Solomone Duru, who saw the need for this ministry in the Pacific and particularly the translation of its material into the core languages in Fiji. The three Trauma Healing training workshops that were achieved so far within a span of six weeks (9th July to 13th August) is a testimony of God’s faithfulness and provision. The partnerships with the American Bible Society’s Trauma Healing Institute, the Seed Company, other donors, and those who helped facilitate the seminars are greatly acknowledged as well.

1) Trauma Healing Workshop with Rev Wesley Neal (9/7/15 – 13/8/15)

Reverend Wesley Neal, a Lecturer at the Davuilevu Theological College in Nausori facilitated the first Trauma Healing seminar for the Bible Society Staff. The invitation was extended to other Church leaders and/or counsellors who met every Thursdays between 2-4pm at Yarawa Wesley Church for six consecutive weeks. Assisting Rev Wesley during the first 3 weeks was Rev Saiasi Kawa whose also from the Davuilevu Theological College. The seminar was successfully completed on Thursday 13th August and the challenge given to every participant to conduct a small healing group in their church or community in the near future.

FINAL LIST OF PARTICIPANTS WHO COMPLETED THE TRAINING ON 13/8/15

Ledua Turaganivalu Bible Society of the South Pacific
Mere Katonivere BSSP
Vilomena Dautei BSSP
Viniana Koroi BSSP
Marika Waqanivalu BSSP
Apenisa Lewatoro BSSP
Tevita Lala Raiwaqa Methodist Church
8. Jone Cama Nasinu Wesley Church
Iva Teilai Nadera Methodist
Josese Laliqavoka Raiwaqa Methodist
Tara Qicatabua Yarawa Wesley
Lydia Veikauyaki Pacific Harbour Wesley Church
Kesaia Vilsoni NasinuWesley
Taniela Qeleni Pacific Students for Christ
Ruth Newton Yarawa Wesley
Ross RoundsYWCA
Kinisimere Waqa YWCA
Deaconess Litiana Dau Deaconess Training Centre
Titilia Tonawai Samabula
Fr. Mataiasi Cokanasiga Anglican Church
Litia Nainoka Methodist
Ps. Aporosa Rageci Baptist Church/ Horeb Fellowship
Ps. Sisa Tikoimakogai Baptist Church – Kinoya
Avisake Tukana Yarawa Wesley Church
Rev. Maraia Ryland Nasenaivalu MCF Hospital (CWM) Chaplain
Varea Rika Salvation Army
Thais Bott Salvation Army
Asela Naisara Catholic Mission
Ana Latu Dickson PTC
Sister Doreen Aiwaia PTC
Deaconess Lesila Raitiqa Dudley Methodist Church
Joseva Seru Faith Christian Fellowship
Kitione Sikivou Mt. Carmel International
Siteri Tagivetaua Raiwaqa Methodist Church
Jone Kataiwai Wesley City Mission (Butt Street, Suva)

2) Trauma Healing Translation Workshop

Front (Left-Right): Sapeta (Rotuman), Urmila Prasad (Fiji Hindi), Pam Daams (facilitator), Irene Narayan (Fiji Hindi); Susie Aropio (Rotuman) Back (Left-Right): Meli Bavata(Koronubu-Ba), Tuma (Fijian itaukei), Neco Daams (co-facilitator), Tevita Lala (Fijian itaukei), Apenisa (coordinator)

A weeklong of Trauma Healing workshop was facilitated by Pam Daams (and husband Neco Daams) on 20-24 July, 2015. At the end of the healing group sessions each morning, what followed was the translation of the booklet, “Healing the Wounds of Trauma: How can the Church Help” into the three major languages spoken in Fiji (Fiji-Hindi, Rotuman, Fijian itaukei) and a western Fiji dialect (Koronubu – Ba). We thank the Seedfor helping sponsor this event and also taking care of the facilitators travel and accommodation costs.
At the end of the workshop, the translation teams were given two weeks to complete their first draft. To date, we have the Fiji saral Hindi draft translation of the Trauma Healing core studies (5 Lessons) and the itaukei draft with a lesson yet to be completed. The Rotuman translators have asked for extension and will submit their translation draft by next week.