#InheritedButNotDefined
Helping young people to recognize and overcome the effects of intergenerational trauma.
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Around two-thirds of children experience at least one traumatic event by age 16.
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Individuals with 4 or more ACEs are:
- 12 times more likely to attempt suicide.
- 10 times more likely to use intravenous drugs.
- Significantly more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and chronic diseases.
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Trauma can significantly impact youth’s educational attainment, leading to higher rates of school dropout and lower academic achievement.
Parents with high ACE scores may struggle with parenting and create environments where their children also experience trauma.
the effects of trauma can be passed down through epigenetic changes and learned behaviors, creating a continuous cycle of distress.
ABOUT US
Tsungai Initiative
Tsungai is a shona word meaning ‘to persevere’, ‘to stay strong’.
Tsungai Initiative is dedicated to empowering children and young people in underserved communities to recognize and overcome the effects of intergenerational trauma passed down across families, communities and environments due to exposure to ongoing everyday adversities. We equip them to break harmful cycles and lead healthier, happier lives by fostering awareness, self-expression, positive identity development, community connection, and cultural belonging. Through innovation, we help them become agents of change in their own lives and their communities.
Mission
To break the cycle of intergenerational trauma
Vision
A world where young people are free from the negative effects of intergenerational trauma
Values
- Perseverance
- Compassion
- Learning
“I have always been passionate about young people defining their own stories and creating healthy environments that enable that. As a society, we have faced and continue to face challenges, and these experiences have impacted the environments our young people are growing in. This conviction, coupled with my own observations ignited a clear purpose: to equip young people with the tools to proactively address inherited pain. Tsungai is born from this belief that by breaking cycles of trauma, we empower young people to reclaim their narratives and consciously shape a better future for themselves and for generations to come.”- Tsungai Initiative Founder
for the happiness of us and those to come after us
WHAT WE DO
Helping young people become agents of change in their communities.
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Understand Where I Come From
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Reclaim Who I am
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Rebuild My Roots
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Create New Legacies
LIVED EXPERIENCES
SHARE YOUR STORY
How have you experienced trauma? How are you dealing with trauma? Share your story anonymously and help bring awareness to young people.
Why Share Your Story?
- Sharing can be a powerful way to release the burden of unspoken experiences.
- Your story can resonate with others who have faced similar challenges, creating a sense of community and understanding.
- By sharing your journey, you can inspire others and show them that positive change is possible.
- Your collective stories can help our community better understand the challenges young people face and the importance of support.
Your Privacy Matters:
All story submissions will be kept completely anonymous. Your name and any identifying information will not be shared. This is a confidential space where you can feel safe to express yourself openly and honestly.
From blog
News & Articles
Read our latest news, program updates, and stories from the Tsungai community
WE would love to hear from you
Contact Us
Whether you want to inquire or you want to share with us what you are thinking or how we can collaborate, fill out our form below.