North-east Nigeria: Community case workers help rebuild lives
In conflict-affected communities across north-east Nigeria, case workers are often the first line of support for vulnerable women, children and families. With care and compassion, they help survivors of violence and trauma to heal and rebuild their lives.
Reuniting a mother with her child
Arichrisla,* 23, was devasted when her ex-husband forcibly took custody of their two-year-old daughter.
Years of physical and emotional abuse had taken their toll on Arichrisla, but losing her child pushed her to the brink. Her health deteriorated rapidly and she disengaged from community activities.
A friend eventually referred Arichrisla to the Hong Community Women and Girls Safe Space in Adamawa State, where she met a case worker from the Child Protection and Peer Learning Initiative (CPPLI), a national organization funded by the OCHA-managed Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF). Arichrisla was welcomed with compassion and immediately offered counselling, giving her a safe space to share her painful situation and engage with other women and girls facing similar challenges.
The peer-to-peer support sessions, group counselling, vocational skills training and recreational activities gave Arichrisla a sense of hope.
CPPLI also referred Arichrisla to a legal team regarding her custody issue. Three months later she was reunited with her daughter.
“I no longer feel sad; I feel well because I have my daughter back,” she said.
Her case worker, Vawa Yakubu, said: “When Arichrisla was first referred to me, she was distressed and unsure how to proceed. Through focused counselling I helped her work through her situation and find a solution. Her participation in structured psychosocial activities in the safe space helped rebuild her confidence and resilience, aiding her recovery.”
The case workers also help women to access vocational training to learn skills that can provide an income and rebuild their lives.
Gender-based violence and other forms of violence against women are prevalent in crisis-affected communities in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, in north-east Nigeria. Women such as Arichrisla often have no place to turn for help, and support services are limited due to inadequate funding. But through NHF support, organizations such as CPPLI are helping to change lives.
A teenager’s journey to community acceptance
Jaba* was only six years old when his village was attacked by Boko Haram, a non-State armed group in north-east Nigeria. Abducted and held captive for eight years, he was forced to serve as the group’s messenger, cook and spy.
Early last year, age 14, Jaba was rescued by the Nigerian Army and returned to his family in Madagali Local Government Area, Adamawa State. But instead of a warm welcome, he and his family were shunned by their community, discriminated and isolated because of Jaba’s association with Boko Haram. This made it difficult for him to attend school or participate in community activities.
Things improved when CPPLI took on Jaba’s case. Their intervention began during a structured recreational activity in a child-friendly space established by CPPLI to promote social cohesion and community reintegration. A case worker offered psychosocial support and counselling to help Jaba regain his sense of self-worth.
“I was thinking of returning to the bush since no one wanted to associate with me,” he recalled.
With CPPLI’s support, Jaba enrolled in school, allowing him to connect with his peers, and his family received a grant to start a small business and earn a livelihood.
Community attitudes towards Jaba and his family began to change through continuous awareness activities promoting social cohesion and reintegration. Jaba and his family were gradually accepted again.
“I can go to school. I have friends. My parents are happy because the community supports us now. Thank you,” said Jaba.
Last year, CPPLI helped reintegrate 52 children formerly associated with armed groups in Madagali and Michika. The children and their caregivers received psychosocial support, alternative learning opportunities and vocational training, providing them with skills to earn an income and rebuild their lives.
Babangida Umar, a community leader in Madagali, said: “The work they [CPPLI] are doing is truly changing the community, especially these children, whom we only associated with non-State armed groups. We thank you so much.”
A call to action
Arichrisla and Jaba’s experiences highlight the importance of case workers and community-friendly spaces in helping women and children recover from the trauma of conflict and gender-based violence. With continued NHF support, local organizations like CPPLI are bringing communities closer together.
*Name has been changed.