Govt adopts play therapy for ‘Sendong’ victims

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) conducted play therapy and peer counseling sessions among children affected by tropical storm “Sendong” at the evacuation centers in Cagayan de Oro City.

DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman and volunteers from the Dynamic Teen Company-Caring Children founded by CNN Hero Efren Peñaflorida Jr. witnessed the play therapy and peer counseling sessions conducted by five children volunteers, their advisers and guardians.

Children and youth are among the most vulnerable sectors in times of disaster. We provide play and art therapy sessions to young children while the older ones go through psychosocial sessions to help them cope with the trauma they experienced,” Soliman said.

“Hearing the stories of their peers who have also gone through suffering and hardships, although in different circumstances, gave them hope and motivation despite the tragedy brought by “Sendong,” Soliman said.

The five children-volunteers, Zhenkie Joy Tubianosa, 14 years old; Cris “Kezs” Valdez, 13; Raynold dela Cruz, 11; Joshua Trias, 15; and Jan Christian Advincula, 12, held story-telling sessions, games, and encouraged their peers who were victims of tropical storm “Sendong” to share their experiences to lessen their trauma.

Children from the Calaanan Tent City participated in the play therapy and sharing session held at the Pedro “Oloy” N. Roa Sr. Elementary School, adjacent to the tent city.

Likewise, about 20 young people, 13 to 17 years old participated in the sharing session held at the Macasandig Barangay Hall, Cagayan de Oro City.

The Macasandig Covered Court evacuation center temporarily houses 261 families composed of 997 persons. Out of this number, 448 are minors, zero to 18 years old.

Trained social workers from DSWD central and field offices, the local government of Cagayan de Oro and non-government organizations continuously conduct stress debriefing and psychosocial sessions to the evacuees.

Report from Manila Bulletin