Healing Through Art, Storytelling, and Community
A culturally rooted, gender-responsive group recovery program where survivors transform trauma into resilience through needle, thread, and shared stories.
The Sajha Dhago Program is our flagship intervention that brings together survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, natural disasters, war/conflict, and displacement into healing circles. Using sewing, storytelling, and art, participants express their pain, resilience, and hope in a safe, supportive environment.
Rooted in both traditional Nepali practices and evidence-based trauma therapy, this program provides a way for survivors to regain deep and lasting psychological well-being. Through 14–20 sessions per phase, spanning 14 weeks, participants move from isolation and shame toward confidence, connection, and hope.
Phase I
Safety and Stabilization (Weeks 1–5)
Building trust, creating safety, and learning grounding and emotional regulation skills.
Phase I Continued
Exploring the Trauma Narrative (Weeks 6–14)
Using artwork, psychoeducation, and sewing to begin expressing trauma stories non-verbally.
Phase II
Working Through Trauma Toward Healing (Weeks 1–5)
Deeper processing, creating story cloths, and building resilience through group support.
Phase III
Moving Forward Independently
After 6 months, participants continue healing journeys with peer support networks.
Group Healing Circles: 15–20 participants meet for 3–4 hour sessions weekly with trained facilitators in a confidential, safe environment.
Psychoeducation: Learning about trauma, stress responses, and healthy coping while reducing shame and stigma.
Artwork: Mandalas, bilateral scribbling, and drawing help participants become aware of themselves and safely enter the depths of their pain.
Sewing and Story Clothes: Using needle, thread, and cloth pieces, participants “sew to speak”, transforming their untold stories into beautiful narrative clothes.
Doll Creation: Participants create dolls for assertiveness activities, practicing saying “no” and respecting their own boundaries.
Story Cloth Exhibition: At the end of each phase, participants display their story clothes and share their journeys with others.
Participants report better sleep, reduced anger, fewer intrusive memories, and a stronger sense of inner calm.
Many learn to say “no,” set personal boundaries, and speak up in family and community spaces where they were previously silent.
Groups evolve into support networks where participants cry together, laugh together, and heal together—reducing isolation and stigma.
We work with organizations and groups to facilitate the Sajha Dhago program. If you are a survivor seeking support, or an organization wanting to host a healing circle in your community, contact us to learn more.