Organizations such as Innocence in Danger, committed to safeguarding and enabling children worldwide, serve as rays of light in a world where innocence is frequently in jeopardy. I recently had the honor of working directly with this incredible organization as an intern, where I saw personally the transforming work they do and the significant influence they make on young lives.
The Story of the Retreat Camp
The founder of the Innocence in Danger retreats, Homayra Sellier, set out on her adventure of the organization in 2001.
During these early years, one of her team members who oversees technology reached out to her for help: After a traumatic incident, his sister had been admitted to a mental health facility in Geneva and was now imprisoned in silence: After school, she was found bleeding; she must have had a terrible experience, but the trauma she suffered had taken away her voice. Homayra spoke with the mother, gently implying the possibility of a rape.
After figuring out the girl's love of horses, Homayra helped her get in touch with a stable so she could have some peace and quiet in her comfort zone. During this process, everyone agreed that she should not be pressured to share her experiences before she felt ready. She stays silent until the day of her departure, at which point she says, "Homayra, I'm ready to speak." The horrific reality became apparent: she had in fact been raped by four of her older classmates.
After learning about this, and how retreat activities can heal others. Homayra was driven to start an organization that provides a safe haven for kids who have experienced trauma in life. She thus invited families who had similar experiences to come and enjoy nature, art, and horseback riding during the holiday seasons of Christmas, Easter, and summer. Small groups at first, then the gatherings eventually grew to bigger groups and now even to the worldwide!