After two years of conflict concentrated primarily in northern Ethiopia, most students were traumatized and many were reluctant to return to their classrooms. The USAID READ II Education Recovery Activity stepped in with psychological first aid and social-emotional learning interventions.
The program worked with schools to use art and other techniques to support students. The objective is to engage students in creative exercises to reflect on their experiences during the conflict and envision a better future, build their self-esteem and express dreams and desires for their futures and hopes.
Ongoing monitoring of the students have found that the artwork and other interventions are supporting efforts to help them to overcome the traumatic experiences.
USAID’s READ II Education Recovery Activity has transformed education into a life-sustaining activity that reached more than 500,000 students in 1,100+ schools. Its work continues today.
READ II Education Recovery Activity is implemented by Creative Associates International and World Vision. The opinions expressed in this video are of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of the U.S. government or its implementing organizations.
