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.

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  G. Mueller
  53/F
  Hamburg, Germany
  by G. Mueller, asked on 27 October 2008 at 05:42 PM
  Dear Fiona, here again a small support for your project... I wish you more donations and that you soon can realize the project. Love Gabriele
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    Fiona M.
    38/F
    Port Shepstone, 4240, South Africa
    by Fiona M., asked on 28 October 2008 at 07:04 AM
    Dear Gabriele, thank you very much for your support, it really is very kind of you. We are working on trying to encourage sourcing funds from outside (i.e. outside of betterplace!), but I will keep you up to date. I hope that you are keeping well though. Love, Fiona.
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  Y. Andreas
  31/F
  Berlin, Germany
  by Y. Andreas, asked on 20 October 2008 at 08:39 PM
  Dear Fiona, as I really admire your project I have a few questions which could also be of interest to all the other supporters here. How was the Workshop? Dou you have news and pictures? Are you continuing with a another workshop soon? Warm regards, Yvonne Andreas
  • 

    Fiona M.
    38/F
    Port Shepstone, 4240, South Africa
    by Fiona M., asked on 21 October 2008 at 07:30 AM
    Dear Yvonne Thank you for your message. I am sorry that I cannot really expand on your questions as we have not held the workshop yet due to incomplete funding. However, the South Coast Hospice Children's Team and our Social Work Department do incorporate memory work into our existing programmes and I will soon be giving feedback on the very real and positive impact their work has had in a local community; I will include photographs to add to the project's 'album' of existing pictures. This will hopefully encourage a strong response from potential supporters of the Memory Box workshop project! These workshops deal with many elements of a child's grief and loss, and the primary aim is to build confidence and self-worth - all very emotional issues, but so very important to the healthy development of a child. I will endeavour to honestly describe the influence participation in one of these workshops can have on the quality of the future life of a child. I will let you know when I have put the information together, but in the meantime take care of yourself and thank you for your continued interest. Best regards, Fiona.
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  G. Mueller
  53/F
  Hamburg, Germany
  by G. Mueller, asked on 21 May 2008 at 08:59 PM
  Dear Fiona, I have no question, but would like to point out, that I deeply support the work you are doing. I know from my own experience - working for about 20 years with traumatized women and children (and since two years also with war traumatised veterans) - how important it is for an active and healthy mourning-process to remember.... With warm regards and the wishes for success Gabriele Mueller
  • 

    Fiona M.
    38/F
    Port Shepstone, 4240, South Africa
    by Fiona M., asked on 22 May 2008 at 06:31 AM
    Dear Gabriele Thank you for your message, and also, thank you for your support. I find it amazing that you - responsible for projects of your own - still be so very generous and help. You have made my week! I must be honest and tell you that your project, "Days of Joy", was and still is of great interest to me - I definitely feel an affinity, probably recognising that it is 'similar' work, so good luck with that! It is a wonderful project that you have posted. Thank you again. Take care, Fiona Mennell.