For Joyce, a mother and member of a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA), life had taught her resilience. Yet when her neighbour lost her husband, Joyce felt powerless. She wanted to help, but fear held her back.
What if I say the wrong thing?” she often wondered. The silence weighed heavily on her heart. She could see her neighbour’s grief, but she didn’t know how to reach out.
That changed after Joyce attended Community-Based Psychosocial Support (CBPS) training. The sessions opened her eyes to the power of listening, empathy, and simply being present. She realized that healing doesn’t come from perfect words but from offering a safe space where others feel valued and supported.
With a new sense of confidence, Joyce began approaching her grieving neighbour differently. She no longer avoided the conversation. Instead, she would sit quietly, listen with patience, and offer reassurance.
I now know how to support my neighbour who lost her husband.
Joyce
Before, I was afraid of saying the wrong thing. Now I can listen, walk with her in her pain,
and help her feel safe.
Her words capture the essence of CBPS: empowering communities to care for one another. By nurturing compassion and connection, CBPS transforms ordinary individuals into pillars of support in times of crisis.
For Joyce, the transformation was personal—but its ripple effect extends far beyond her household. Each act of listening, each gesture of care, is helping to weave a stronger, more resilient community where no one has to walk through grief or hardship alone.
