Submitted by crinadmin on
Summary: 20% of the adult population (15-49 years) and 25% of pregnant women are living with HIV/AIDS, the UNAIDS at Country Level- Progress Report (2004) indicates.
As many parents remain silent about their HIV/AIDS status in order to protect their children, they instead leave their children unprepared to face a future alone. The Rural Family Empowerment Programme of C.A.R.E for Children In Need-CAFCHIN based in Lundazi, the Eastern Province of Zambia, has decided to bridge this gap and designed a highly innovative and sensitive Family Documentation and Communication work, 'Memory Project." Orphans face inadequate access to vital information, as their parents do not share their plans. The project prepares the youngsters for a new way of life. "Memory project" tries to help AIDS affected families to talk about their health with their children and to break the silence between parents and children. Children are introduced to future careers while mothers are encouraged to inform their children so that they have detailed information about their identity and family origins. "Memory Project" provides a visual record of issues and results during a period of time. The project awarded women with photo cameras as they created their family photo storybook activity. Confidentiality especially with abused, neglected children and people living with HIV/AIDS and other vulnerable groups was naturally respected. Parents are prompted to take a systematic journey through different aspects of family history, lifestyle, culture, and beliefs. The advantages are that information is available for inquiries by children and other family members as well as provides accurate diverse information to help rural children understand their family background and their present situations. MEMORY Project sustains a treasury of childhood memories and family history for both parents and children. For the child, it reminds him / her of their roots; it gives them sense of belonging when orphaned, and provides answers to questions they would have asked their parents while growing up and access valuable information which is the corner stone of all child rights. Fifteen families have already benefited from CAFCHIN's family project funded by Firelight Foundation of Santa Cruz, California in US.