“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls” –  Khalil Gibran

In a world overwhelmed by relentless conflict, quiet stories of hope and resilience feel like rare breaths of fresh air. When they emerge from places the world has turned its back on—conflicts forgotten by the media and ignored by the international community—they become more than stories. They are testaments to the strength of the human spirit, to the will to survive, and to the courage of those who endure, even when no one is watching.

During a brutal and devastating siege carried out by the Ethiopian government—against its own people and with the backing of Eritrean forces—hundreds of thousands were forced to flee their homes in Western Tigray. Families were torn apart in the chaos. Hundreds were massacred. Thousands of women were subjected to horrific acts of sexual violence.

Many survivors sought refuge across the border in Sudan, where Dr. Dawit A. Kassa arrived as a volunteer. He had planned to stay just one month. But as the only Tigrinya-speaking doctor available, he was overwhelmed with patients—especially survivors of sexual violence, many of whom preferred to speak in their own language, avoiding the pain of reliving their trauma through a translator. Offering them care in their mother tongue preserved not only clarity, but a measure of dignity.

After a month at Um Rakuba refugee camp, Dr. Dawit couldn’t bring himself to leave. He stayed for a year and a half, during which he helped establish the only maternal and child health centre in the refugee camp. Together with his team, they provided care for over 40,000 patients.

When he finally returned to Ethiopia, he carried with him the stories and faces of countless children—many orphaned or separated from their families since the war began. Determined to offer them more than survival, Dr. Dawit co-founded EASE, a non-profit organisation and sanctuary for healing through learning and creativity, in the city of Mekelle. One of its flagship initiatives is the Rufta Child-Friendly Space—“Rufta” meaning relief after suffering in Tigrinya.

Today, the project provides over 70 children with a safe, nurturing space to begin processing the trauma they’ve endured. Many haven’t seen their parents since 2020, and some still don’t know whether their families are alive. In this small but vital community, supported by a handful of dedicated local volunteers and occasional international guests, the children are slowly reclaiming their sense of joy and agency.

One such guest was Chris Milford, a UK actor currently performing in War Horse with the National Theatre.

War horse at National Theatre, London

He recently visited EASE to lead a puppetry and physical movement workshop—bringing laughter, creativity, and a moment of lightness to children who’ve seen far too much darkness.

“It was incredibly moving to witness the children engaging with a new creative experience. But more powerful was seeing the impact it had on their confidence—the moment they began to sense their own value and achievement was truly unforgettable.

After hearing what so many of these children have endured, it’s clear that this space holds profound significance. It plays a vital role in the healing of a people long neglected by the international community. EASE relies almost entirely on monthly donations, and I can only hope others will recognise the powerful impact it’s making—and contribute whatever they can to help keep it alive.”

In places the world has forgotten, it is often the smallest acts of care that carry the greatest weight. EASE stands as a quiet testament to what is possible when compassion meets action—a reminder that healing begins not only with shelter, but with dignity, creativity, and the belief that every child’s life matters.

Through creative expressions like puppetry, children are given a unique way to process trauma—bringing their emotions to life through storytelling and play, and rediscovering joy in movement and imagination. These moments of creative freedom help rebuild confidence and foster connection, offering a vital pathway toward healing. As conflicts rage on and headlines move elsewhere, these children remain—still waiting, still hoping. Their stories deserve to be heard, and their futures deserve a chance.

To make a donation, please visit https://www.easeing.org/