Tubman Boulevard, 540 Community, Congo Town, Monrovia – Liberia
...Graduates 25 Liberians in Trauma Relief—A Bold Step Toward National Healing
With hearts uplifted and minds equipped, the Foundation for Research, Education and Empowerment (FREE Liberia), in collaboration with Surge International and AFLA Liberia, has successfully concluded its landmark Six-Week Trauma Relief Training of Trainers (TOT)—a transformative journey of healing, empowerment, and hope.
Held from June 17 to July 22 at FREE Liberia’s head office in Congo Town, the training brought together 25 dedicated participants from Monrovia and its surrounding communities. United by a shared purpose, the TOT aimed to equip participants to become agents of healing in a nation still grappling with the scars of trauma, conflict, and emotional pain. Over six weeks, participants engaged in hands-on, culturally relevant trauma care techniques, equipping them to support emotional recovery and foster community resilience.
This initiative was more than a training—it was a national healing movement rooted in compassion, shared stories, and renewed strength. Participants explored key concepts including emotional stabilization, stress management, forgiveness, and resilience-building. They also acquired practical tools to identify and address emotional wounds through culturally grounded methods such as storytelling, the “Tree of Life” model, and trauma-informed listening circles. Designed for local facilitators, the training emphasized context-sensitive approaches that reflect Liberia’s unique emotional and cultural realities.
Speaking at the closing ceremony on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at FREE Liberia office in Congo Town, Dr. Charles Gbollie, Founder and CEO of FREE Liberia, remarked, “This training marks a critical step forward in our mission to empower local leaders to become catalysts for healing in their communities. We are not just equipping individuals—we are nurturing a movement that will transform families, communities, and our nation.”
The training was led by a team of experienced trauma experts based in the United States, headed by Holly Love and supported by Roberta Reed, Roy Reed, and Amb. George Blamoh. Their facilitation provided safe spaces for reflection, vulnerability, and emotional breakthroughs for participants.
Roberta Reed, one of the lead facilitators and visionaries behind the initiative, praised the participants for their commitment and emphasized the shared human need for healing. “We are all broken people,” she said, “and therefore we all need to be healed. What we experienced here is a powerful step toward collective restoration.”
Also speaking at the closing event, Amb. George Festus Blamoh—Vice Chair of FREE Liberia’s Board and a United Nations Ambassador—inspired the graduates to transform their experience into lasting impact. “When you look back on your life and look ahead with faith,” he reflected, “you’ll see that even the hardest moments were part of a divine plan to shape you for greater purpose.”
The closing ceremony featured heartfelt testimonies from participants whose lives were deeply transformed. Madam Sammah Forkeyoh shared how the Tree of Life exercise helped her confront emotional wounds rooted in childhood abandonment and cultural silence. “Through this training,” she said, “I have found healing and the courage to pass it on.” Another participant, Charlesfael Johnson, expressed how the experience helped him embrace forgiveness and understand the influence of family history on his thought patterns. “This training taught me that there is healing in brokenness,” he stated.
The training builds upon FREE Liberia’s previous trauma relief efforts in partnership with Surge International in 2023 and 2024, which reached over 150 individuals through short-term sessions. This year’s TOT marks a significant leap forward, producing long-term trainers who will soon begin conducting four cluster-based trauma healing sessions across Monrovia and its environs.
FREE Liberia extends its sincere appreciation to its U.S. partners—especially Roy and Roberta Reed—and lead facilitator Holly Love for their sacrificial service, financial support, and unwavering commitment to healing humanity. Special thanks also go to Amb. George F. Blamoh, whose strategic leadership and tireless advocacy made this program a reality. “Your impact will multiply far beyond this training,” Dr. Gbollie affirmed, “and your legacy of love will continue to shape Liberia’s future.”
Looking ahead, FREE Liberia is committed to making trauma healing a core pillar of its broader mission in mental health and social transformation. The newly certified trainers will now carry forward the torch of healing, reaching communities, restoring hope, and helping Liberia rise stronger than ever.
For media inquiries, please contact:
0775583004 / 0887028001
freeliberia7@gmail.com | info@free.org.lr
Share This News