Youth Reintegration into Society
Youth Reintegration into Society is a community-based approach to psychosocial care and reintegration to help children at risk of joining gangs, and victims of forced recruitment, to access resources needed to deal with trauma. We’re working to enhance positive relationships within the community and change situations of vulnerability and criminality through the use of narratives of resilience, to create protective and healing environments.
A community-based, narrative approach to mental health
Addressing the recruitment of children and young people into the armed forces.
Violence and poverty in Colombia have led to thousands of children and young people (CYP) being recruited into armed groups, while many others remain involved in other criminal activities. Many children have had to undergo formal demobilisation programmes or endure detention in the juvenile system.
Exposure to violence has resulted in adverse effects on the mental health of CYP, particularly relating to trauma and reintegration into society, where stigma has worsened their mental health.
Together with our partners, Tiempo de Juego (TDJ) and Centro para el Reintegro y Atención al Niño (CRAN), we have so far established this project in Bogotá, Villavicencio and Restrepo.
CYP take part in team activities such as Kintsugi, story-telling discussions, and physical activities involving sports equipment! Each exercise targets a distinct aspect of their overall well-being including resilience-building, reflecting on perseverance, and expressing empathy.
Together, these activities help the children and young people forge bonds with each other.
Check out how this project has significantly helped one of our beneficiaries, Sandra!
Key Figures
- Over 389 children and young people (CYP) in Bogotá, Villavicencio, and Restrepo directly benefited during 2024, surpassing the initial goal by 70%.
- The project also engaged 187 parents and caregivers, 76% more than initially projected.
- 51 staff members from partnering organizations participated, gaining valuable psychosocial skills to better support the youth.
