Healing the Past: Generational Trauma and Humanitarian Service
Have you ever thought about how you became a humanitarian? Why you chose this particular path? It’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately: what if the humanitarian path we’ve chosen is actually an invitation — to see and heal and love and embrace our own humanity through the stories of the people we’re serving? What if the path is giving us powerful opportunities to reveal and heal our own wounds and generational trauma — and we just don’t realize it?
Generational trauma refers to the emotional and psychological wounds passed down through successive generations, often stemming from historical events, systemic oppression, or collective trauma experienced by a community or an entire ethnic group. The impact of generational trauma can be profound, shaping and influencing our worldview, values, and choices. And though we may not realize it, choosing a career in humanitarian work can be a conscious or subconscious response to our generational trauma.
For me, witnessing the struggles endured by my ancestors and family members instilled a sense of responsibility — a sense of duty — to alleviate the pain and suffering of others. It fostered empathy, fueled by an understanding of the long-lasting impact of generational traumas that included mental health issues, domestic violence, ethnic persecution, forced displacement, and racial discrimination. It created within me a deep-seated determination to make a positive difference in the lives of those in need. It’s what led me to become a humanitarian.
For many years I believed I was changing the world through my work, when in fact, my work was changing me. Humanitarian work allowed me to reclaim agency, and heal personal wounds. It served as a catalyst for my empathy, a foundation for my resilience, and a driving force for my desire to create social change. It provided me with opportunities to rewrite the narratives of my family history, transform pain into purpose, and contribute to healing on a broader scale.
It allowed me to become whole.
Have you ever considered the role of generational trauma in your decision to become a humanitarian?
