Loss of Security 

To be born in atheist and broken families is sure guarantee for the inducement of trauma within the individuals of these families.  The absence of the father and his abandonment of his family have a great effect on the children for this action produces bitterness and hostility in the children’s minds, emotions and conduct. 

This is the case with Fadia, a 35-year-old Syrian of Kurd origin, who escaped to Lebanon from the conflict in Syria.  When she was asked about the traumas she endured, she did not hesitate to consider her father’s abandonment of her as the strongest trauma she suffered, stronger than any of those that resulted from the conflict. 

“The absence of the father’s role affected me greatly and has distorted the image of the other gender in my mind.  It has bred a lot of bitterness and grudges in my heart, and there are many questions in my mind to which I can’t find answers.”  

The Conflict  in Syria

With the absence of her father, Fadia found a new concept of a safety-net represented in social relationships and educational and financial accomplishments.  

Because of the conflict, she, once again, lost everything that she considered as a source of security.  She bore a lasting pain as she was dealt with the same trauma she grew up with. 

More of an atheist, she did not feel inner peace as she did not believe in God, nor did she have external security because of the hardships she underwent.  Insecurity controlled her emotions and actions. 

Immigrating to Lebanon

When we asked Fadia about her coming to Lebanon, she described it as being the key for her life.  She met a humble but closely-knit family, who were happy, satisfied and secure despite their poverty and hard life.  She was able to discover that their peace and closeness stemmed from their relationship with God.  She was able, for the first time, to feel His presence unlike her previous failure to do so. 

She noticed their great ability to forgive which helped her to get rid of the heavy burden that she had carried since her childhood because of her grievance toconflictds her father. 

However, every time she tried to stand on her feet, she was met with hurdles, leading to her total collapse and a broken ego that led to her surrendering to God’s love, thus changing her life.  

Being from an atheist family, the family refused that change which they met with persecution, mockery and bullying.  Their reaction only led her closer to God in whom she saw her “sufficiency and all she needed of fatherhood and security.” 

THRC Training

“I am a psychology graduate, but I want to stress the importance of THRC training which highlighted trauma and its effects on our lives.”  Fadia noted that although she lived in a society exposed to psychological trauma to a great extent, the issue had not been highlighted enough or given its due. 

The THRC Trauma Healing Training was an opportunity for her to learn about many personal issues.  She was able to better understand herself and discover other traumas that have affected her thinking and behavior. 

Through this training, Fadia was able to understand her husband, her family and those around her better, especially those she was in disagreement with.  She could see their pain and their consequent behavior as she began to understand that their actions only reflected the pain and traumas they had endured. 

Fadia realizes that there are many challenges to confront, but she set sharing what she learned with others as a target.  As she was involved with social work, she found this an opportunity to help those suffering from psychological traumas. 

“I tried to help in the past in this field, but this time it is not the same as I have the necessary material to start with.”