Jonathan Dangyang, a passionate advocate for peace and healing in communities hit hard by ongoing conflict, found himself at the forefront of a transformative initiative driven by EAI this year.  Well-attuned to the urgent need for psychosocial support in communities threatened by years of conflict, EAI stepped in to provide healing by fostering forgiveness, reconciliation, and social cohesion. Jonathan fully embraced the opportunity to be trained as a Psychosocial First Aider (PFA) by EAI and our local partner, Carefronting, resulting in expanded psychosocial support in the Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State. 

In collaboration with community leaders, Jonathan - who is also a member of the traditional council of his Local Government Area – spearheaded the establishment of a Trauma Listening Center, which became a beacon of hope for those suffering with the aftermath of trauma. The surge in visitors, with 52 individuals seeking support in January alone, spoke volumes about the pressing need for such services. Jonathan’s vision extended beyond provision of services; he sought sustainability and scalability. Recognizing the overwhelming demand, he took proactive steps to empower his community further. Identifying individuals eager to contribute, he conducted a comprehensive training for six community members (three women and three men), sharing the knowledge and skills he acquired through the PFA training.  

Through his initiative and dedication, he initiated a grassroots movement, ensuring that the benefits of psychosocial support reach even the most marginalized corners of his community. Jonathan and other PFAs across the SNC states have planned and implemented more stepdown trainings on psychosocial support for their community members.