Our Approach

THREE TIER CURRICULA-BASED APPROACH

Exile Intl’s Model — The HOPE Initiative

The HOPE Initiative aims to help children and teens overcome war-related trauma through a three-tier model highlighting art-focused trauma care, peace-building and conflict resolution, and leadership development.

What does HOPE stand for?

Art-Focused Trauma Care

Exile's programming prioritizes art in trauma care, helping children process trauma when they lack words to describe it.

To facilitate healing through art, Exile's local leaders use two trauma-healing curricula specifically designed for children — "Healing Children's Wounds of Trauma" and the "EMPOWER Program." Through stories, scripture, games, crafts, art, music, and other activities, these programs help traumatized children express their pain and emotions in a safe environment and find healing for their heart wounds. Both curricula were specifically created for former child soldiers, war-affected youth, and victims of human trafficking with a focus on building resilience and emotional strength and learning forgiveness.

Peace-building & Conflict Resolution

The peace-building and conflict resolution unit at Exile follows "The Young Peacemaker" curriculum, written by certified counselor and elementary educator Corlette Sand. This workbook guides children in understanding, responding to, and preventing conflict by following Christ's example based on scripture. Youth learn how to honor God in conflict and become agents of peace in all that they do.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." - Matthew 5:9 (NIV)

Leadership Development

Discipleship & Spirtual Leadership

Healing Spirits

Art-Focused Trauma Care, Discipleship & Peace building

Healing Minds

Education, Professional Skills & Leadership Development

Healing Bodies

Safety, Food, Medical & Other Basic Needs

THE MULTIPLIER EFFECT

Disciples Making Disciples

37 of 44 Care Programs Led by Program Graduates

These young men and women are taking the restoration God has given them and sharing it with other war-affected youth. They're launching their own care rehabilitative programs — significantly increasing access to trauma care resources in previously unreachable communities and sowing seeds to end cycles of violence and poverty throughout these regions.

112 Baptisms Last Year — Praise God

Not only are they successfully replicating the care programs that restored their lives — these graduates are passionate about making disciples! Hope is alive in Eastern Congo and Northern Uganda as graduates share God's faithfulness and baptize new believers who will one day make disciples of their own.