A Family Torn Apart by War 

For Kibrom, a 50-year-old security guard at SOS Hermann Gmeiner School in Mekele, life once revolved around quiet routines and the joy of raising his two sons alongside his wife. But everything changed when the war broke out in Tigray in 2020. The conflict brought not only violence and displacement but also deep personal tragedy. Amidst the chaos and financial hardship, Kibrom’s wife suffered a miscarriage, a loss that left both of them emotionally devastated. As the weight of grief and unspoken pain grew, tension overwhelmed their relationship. Eventually, his wife left, and Kibrom found himself alone, heartbroken, and without hope.  

Support in a time of pain  

Kibrom’s turning point came when he was introduced to the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Project by SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia. Designed in response to the psychological toll of the Tigray conflict, the project offers trauma healing and emotional support through individual counseling, group sessions, and training for affected individuals including staff, teachers, caregivers, youth, and community members. Through individual counseling, Kibrom and his wife began a long-overdue journey of healing. Slowly, they confronted their pain, processed their trauma, and began to rebuild the trust and communication that had been lost.  

A day that changed everything  

In February 2025, they joined a training session for staff and their spouses, led by a psychologist focused on stress management and relationship healing. For the first time in months, they were not speaking through conflict but listening to each other with compassion and renewed understanding. “That day changed everything for my family,” Kibrom recalls. “We instantly started listening to each other in a more compassionate way instead of fighting.” Kibrom later took part in a staff retreat, which gave him the space to reflect, relax, and restore his emotional balance. It was there that he truly felt the weightlift, a moment of clarity that helped him rediscover his sense of purpose.  

Today, Kibrom is more than a security guard. He is a husband, a father, and a survivor who reclaimed his peace and family against the odds. His journey stands as a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and to the importance of accessible, community-based mental health support.  

About the project  

The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Project in Mekelle supports over 1,600 individuals directly, with more than 4,500 community members impacted indirectly. It addresses the ongoing effects of war, including emotional trauma, damaged health infrastructure, limited WASH services, poor maternal nutrition, and rising child labor and school dropouts. While challenges remain, stories like Kibrom’s show what is possible when families are given the support to heal and the space to hope.  

*To respect the person's privacy, their real name has not been used.