The note identifies how an informalpartnership between indigenous healers - with theirritualistic therapies - and donor-assisted programs - withemphasis on the family, and social adjustment - can providea model of how indigenous, and Western scientific approachescan be pursued to provide war-torn children a maximumbenefit. Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)have been exhibited in children during, and following warconflicts, and, while various organizations have developedtypes of psycho-social programs to assist war-affectedchildren - namely through Western therapeutic techniquesoriginally developed to treat American veterans of theVietnam war - these remain at a very preliminary stage ofdevelopment. The focus moreover, ignores local beliefs, andall its forms of ancestral spiritual forces intended to healthe affliction, and undermines as well, communal involvementin the healing process. Through two case studies - Angolaand Mozambique - the note shows the tremendous knowledge ofcommunities, in how to heal the "social wounds" inwar-afflicted children, and adults. Evidence of this healingprocess is based on understanding mind afflictions, sharedby spiritual interventions. What was though manifested, wasthe need in helping to find missing family members, inestablishing schools, in creating job opportunities, topromote stable social environments. Thus organizations, andnongovernmental organizations should focus in localunderstanding, working to promote cultural environments,where children gain a sense of security.
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