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Restoring Dignity Through Afro-Centered Mental Health Support

Empowering survivors of human trafficking through trauma-informed, culturally-rooted healing.

Healing means reclaiming our stories, our culture, and our voice. - Malaika Oringo

What is Handprints to Healing?

Handprints to Healing is an initiative created by and for African survivors of human trafficking. We focus on mental health, healing, and resilience through an Afro-centric and survivor-centered, trauma-informed approach.

This project brings together care, community, and culture, offering safe spaces for storytelling, survivor coaching and counselling, practical healing toolkits, and webinars on Mental Health.Throught this project we aim to center African voices and experiences and support survivors in rebuilding their lives with dignity, strength, and hope.


Handprints to Healing is a mental Health Initiative of Footprint to Freedom for African Survivors, working across the continent to make mental health support accessible and culturally relevant. By blending African traditions of healing with evidence-based trauma care, the initiative creates pathways for deep, sustainable recovery and community resilience.

The Mental Health Gap

Despite overwhelming need, most survivors in Africa lack access to mental health care due to cost, stigma, and systemic neglect. Less than 10% receive any form of support. This initiative seeks to close that gap with community-driven, culturally grounded solutions.

Survivor-Centered and Afro-Centered

We prioritize survivors’ voices, choices, and traditions. Healing approaches draw on African methods—storytelling, spirituality, and collective care—while uplifting survivor leadership at every stage of program design and delivery.

what we do

We lead pioneering studies on trauma healing models tailored to African survivor contexts.

Survivor-led sessions on mindfulness, emotional resilience, and long-term trauma recovery.

We foster group healing through survivor circles, mentorship, and coalition-building.

Practical toolkits, survivor-friendly guides, and trauma-informed materials for survivors.

Hosting confidential counseling and monthly podcasts on trauma topics to help survivors

We integrate African traditions, art, and rituals—into trauma recovery to ground healing in cultural identity.

What’s Coming Next

Trauma Care Toolkits

Practical guides focused on trauma recovery, maternal mental health, and survivor peer support.

Survivor Spotlight Series

Personal stories highlighting resilience, leadership, and the lived experiences of survivors.

Afro-Psychology Podcasts:

Insightful discussions hosted by African mental health professionals and survivor leaders.

Safe Online Community

A moderated digital space where survivors can share, connect, and access support.

Ready to Learn and Heal Together?

Every survivor deserves the opportunity to heal—regardless of age, gender, or background.
Our growing digital library offers practical, trauma-informed, and Afro-centered resources created by survivors, for survivors, as well as for the practitioners who support them.

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