Spread the Word! 100% of your donations are forwarded.

Memory Box

Memory Box
Location: Port Shepstone, KWAZULU-NATAL, South Africa
Category: Health
Published: 16 May 2008
Progress:
33% funded
   
Rating:
46 Ratings
HIV/AIDS is having a devastating effect on families in SA today and children are paying a heavy price: they are experiencing multiple losses as their circles of care break down. These children are highly traumatized by the loss of parents - many of them witness the physical deterioration, even the actual deaths. Ordinarily, children’s natural bonds with their parents provide them with their personal, social & cultural identity. After the trauma of death many children face severe emotional instability; the risks include withdrawal, destructive behaviour, learning difficulties & depression. A solution showing significant positive results in increasing resilience in affected children is engaging the children in a memory work programme. A Memory Box workshop develops the children’s psychosocial well-being, so essential for their survival. Also, the children whose needs have been met can help by providing emotional support to siblings & peers; they will also take part in other activities encouraging them to realise their full potential. The essence of memory work rests on the idea that it is good for the child to know his family story, however painful, on condition that this history is recounted in a warm, non-judgmental setting. They access this knowledge through memory & for the grieving process to unfold in a meaningful way the children’s perceptions & feelings need to be validated by supporting adults. The main aim of this intervention is to provide AIDS orphans with life skills that enhance their resilience so they cope better in life. A 5-day Memory Box workshop is planned for July 2008; 15 children will participate under the supervision of 2 qualified staff. Transport will be provided to & from their homes to a community hall where the workshop is held. All materials (Memory Boxes, paper, pencils, glue, paints…), Duduza dolls, photographs, & 2 meals/day will be provided. The children are identified by our specialised Children’s Team, Social Work Dept & ICHC teams.

GEDACHTNISBOX / MEMORY BOX - blog nr. 11

back
by Fiona M., created on 07 August 2008 at 06:23 AM

Hello everybody. I am sure that you are interested in reading about what actually takes place at a Memory Box workshop: the activities, what the objectives are and how we aim to achieve them. Today I am discussing ‘FAMILY TREES’. The objective is for trained facilitators to help the children have a better understanding of their family situations, especially when the death of their parents or their loved ones creates confusion in their minds. Children who are confused find it more difficult to cope with the sickness and the death of their loved ones. The task involves drawing and presenting family trees while the method has the facilitators draw their family trees in front of the children. The children are then invited to draw a tree representing themselves, the members of their families or anybody who is important to them, whether alive or dead. There is no fixed pattern for the trees – they draw their trees the way they would like to. When the task is completed, the facilitators invite the children to present their family trees to the group. Each child’s story is recorded on paper for them to keep in their memory boxes. The facilitators understand that this can be an emotional exercise and that the children might need assistance to deal with strong emotions. MEMORY BOX – blog nr.12 will briefly describe yet another Memory Box workshop activity… keep reading! Keep supporting, keep telling your friends about betterplace and the opportunity to help fund this exciting and meaningful project, keep rating this project, keep visiting the site, and most of all... keep well! Best regards, Fiona Mennell

Comments:

  • G. Mueller
    G. Mueller
    53/F
    Hamburg, Germany
    by G. Mueller, commented on 09 August 2008 at 08:34 PM
    Dear Fiona, I like the idea with the "family trees". We are doing a similar exercise "my heart", to give the children the possibility to draw and write, whom and what they have in their heart, then presenting and explaining to the others - as much as they like. It is an exercise for getting aware about resources and relationships (as resources). But the "tree" seems for me to give more possibilities of expression and also to show the kind and quality of the child's relationship to the members of his / her family and the connection which these members have with each other. I will tell my colleagues about this exercise... I am waiting for your next blog. Good luck for raising the necessary finances! With warm regards Gabriele

Would you like to comment?

Join betterplace or log in if you are already a member.