It was a stunning sight to behold.  Seven young women each clutching the string of a balloon; seven counselors supporting each young woman with an arm on their shoulder; all heads bowed in silent reflection or prayer. 

As the balloons waved in the breeze, you could see handwritten scrawl.  Words etched in marker and pen - all the things the girls wanted to let go of and move on from.  You see, each girl holding a balloon was a victim of horrific human rights abuse and is now in Hagar's care.  And each counselor present has walked with each girl for the past year and a half through Trauma Focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (TRCBT). 

It was an important day for everyone. 

Hagar's counselors have worked very hard over the past 18 months learning TFCBT - a model of therapy and counseling that, while used often in the West, is new to Cambodia.  It assists children and young adults who have experienced serious trauma to recover and develop resilience. The training, sponsored by World Vision saw experts from the US facilitate the sessions, and counselors from both World Vision and Hagar work with young people in Cambodia. 

That day at the riverfront showed the impact of the counselors' commitment and the TRCBT training on the clients.  It was the final step in the TRCBT training.

With her counselor at her side, each young woman released her balloon - and all that was written on it that she wanted to let go of - into the atmosphere.  Now, these counselors will be better equipped to assist victims of trauma to recover at a much deeper level while each young woman will be more able to take on whatever life throws at her with strength and resilience and dignity