ABSTRACT
Approximately half of the world’s displaced people are children, defined under international law as individuals younger than 18 years of age. In Angola, large numbers of children have been displaced and affected in other ways by 40 years of armed conflict. This chapter outlines the Angolan context and its implications for children’s emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. Arguing that intervention approaches focused on mental health and trauma are too narrow, culturally biased, and impractical in Angola, it describes a five-province, community-based intervention program by Christian Children’s Fund (CCF) that aimed to stabilize communities, restore a sense of normalcy, and enable healthy development amidst difficult circumstances. It suggests that effective psychosocial interventions should focus less on clinical approaches, emphasize holistic well-being, and mobilize communities in ways that build toler-ance, respect for local culture, and hope.
