Last month, Atlas Free hosted the African Conference on Trauma in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The gathering brought together 46 service providers from across Africa, all united by a shared mission: to help survivors heal.

Attendees of the conference included those who face unimaginable challenges every day yet continue to show up with hope, determination, and the belief that change is possible. The conversations were raw, honest, and filled with the kind of energy that only comes from a deeply shared purpose.

Two key themes emerged from this powerful gathering: the importance of self-care and the strength of collaboration.

Self-Care Is Not a Luxury—It’s Essential

In the fight against human trafficking, frontline workers give everything they have to help survivors rebuild their lives. It’s this dedication that drives the work forward—seeing moments when a survivor begins to hope again. But the emotional weight of the work, combined with long hours and limited resources, can lead to burnout faster than anyone realizes.

At the conference, Dr. Becca Johnson, a licensed psychologist and Atlas Free Strategic Advisor, led a transformative session on vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue. She shared how burnout often creeps in unnoticed, disguised as “pushing through” or “just doing the job.” Attendees received self-assessment tools to measure emotional exhaustion and found support.

Self-care is not an indulgence—it’s survival. Without taking time to pause, reflect, and restore, those on the frontlines risk losing the ability to be fully present for the survivors they serve. It was a powerful moment to see participants collectively realize that prioritizing their own well-being isn’t a luxury—it’s an essential part of their mission.

Collaboration Makes Us Stronger

On the first day of the conference, attendees sat in small clusters, each group representing their own organization. By the end of the week, something remarkable had happened. Those who had arrived as strangers—coming from different countries, cultures, and programs—had formed a unified community.

Through shared stories and open dialogue, social workers, counselors, and program leaders discovered that they weren’t alone. They shared their challenges, celebrated their successes, and formed bonds that went far beyond professional networking.

One participant said it best: “I don’t feel alone anymore. I feel like I have a whole team now.”

As the week progressed, the connections became deeply personal, rooted in a shared commitment to helping survivors heal. Abeba, Executive Director of Ellilta, an Atlas Free Network Member, captured the spirit of the conference: “This gathering created an invaluable platform for networking, deepening our understanding of trauma care, and laying the foundation for future collaboration. United, we can create pathways for healing and hope in the lives of the women we serve.”

This experience underscored a simple truth: no one should do this work alone. Collaboration across regions, cultures, and languages isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. The conference reminded everyone that when frontline workers feel supported and understood, the survivors they serve benefit in profound ways.

Written by Alexis Byers, Network Advisor at Atlas Free