Avis Smith is from Kansas City, where she has been a clinical social worker for 25 years - working with children who have trauma backgrounds. She has a lengthy history of training both clinical and non-clinical staff who work with children in this area.
Avis traveled to Uganda in 1970 for a two-year assignment in Kampala. This was interrupted because of the increased political tensions that led to the January 1971 coup when Amin overthrew Obote. She is really looking forward to seeing the changes that have taken place in and around Kampala since then. Avis traveled again to Africa in 2008 when she went to Lesotho and South Africa as part of a church trip.
As a member of Team 4, she is interested in “anything that helps children tell their stories and heal so that they can live full, productive and joyful lives (art, music, movement, sand tray therapy, theatre, etc.)” She is excited about sharing this journey with her daughter and son in law, Jennifer and Jeff.
I first met Avis three years ago when I was a guest speaker at her church. We talked for a few minutes after my presentation, and she told me she had been to Uganda almost 40 years ago. She said she’d love to return and really liked what Change the Truth was doing with the orphans at St. Mary Kevin. Avis then came very close to joining our volunteer team last year, but in the end it didn’t work out. I am so pleased it’s going to work out this time around and that she will finally be able to experience Uganda again after so many years. She brings a wealth of information about kids who have experienced trauma; she is highly respected in her field. Again, CTT is fortunate to have such an outstanding team member!
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