It was the 1st of december 2008 at 9 o´clock p.m. when I turned on my television and switched to ARTE, to watch a documentary I had read about. It was called “Memory Books – Damit du mich nie vergisst”. I wanted to give it a try although I expected another depressing representation of “Africa” suffering from and dying of HIV/AIDS, as it has been almost common on the World AIDS Day.
It didn´t fulfill my expectations, in no way. I was touched, I was inspired and I wanted to know more about the situation of especially women and children affected by HIV/AIDS and the “Memory Project” of Uganda.
On the basis of this experience, in this paper I will have a closer look at Uganda, at the situation of parents, in particular of women living with HIV/AIDS on the one hand, and on the other hand at the situation of the children affected by the disease and who are left behind after the death of their parents.
First I will start with an overview of HIV/AIDS in Uganda.
Then I will provide an insight into the situation of women in Uganda in association with the epidemic, also concerning the law on domenstic and gender-based violence as on of the main reason for new and disproportionate infections of females, and the impact on children.
Furthermore I will introduce the “Memory Project” and its core, the “Memory Books”, which was started in Uganda through the national NGO NACWOLA (National Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS), and point out the importance for both of them, parents and children.
The aim of my paper will be to reflect the situation of women and children considering HIV/AIDS, and to provide an insight into NACWOLAs “Memory Project” and its “Memory Books”. I want to overview the structure and to give a review on the goals of this program, as well as on its offered possibilities and maybe inherent difficulties.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Uganda
2.1 HIV/AIDS in Uganda
2.2 Uganda - Your Women and your Children
3. NACWOLA and the “Memory Books”
3.1 NACWOLA and the “Memory Project”
3.1.1 The “Memory Books”
3.1.2 The “Memory Books” – Difficulties and Possibilities
4. Conclusio
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the socio-economic and health-related challenges faced by women and children impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Uganda, specifically focusing on the therapeutic and supportive role of the "Memory Project" initiated by the NGO NACWOLA.
- Analysis of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and its historical progression in Uganda.
- Examination of gender-based violence, women's legal status, and dependency.
- Evaluation of the "Memory Project" as a tool for psychosocial support.
- Assessment of the "Memory Books" in facilitating family disclosure and emotional resilience.
Excerpts from the Book
3.1.1 The “Memory Books”
“Quite a few knowledgeable people adviced me not to bother taking the memory book to Uganda “because African people have an oral tradition and they won`t be interested in written words.”” (Carol Lindsay Smith, deviser of the “Memory Books” in the UK, London, 1990, in Smith 2005)
The first “Memory Book” was produced in 1991, as a response to the needs of African parents who had HIV/AIDS and were living in London, away from their extended families. These parents had been using the service of Bernardo`s “Positive Orphans”, an HIV-specific project built to encourage parents to make plans for the future of their children. (Smith 2005)
In 1995 the “Memory Books”reached Uganda. One of Carol L. Smiths first contacts was Beatrice Were, who was at that time National Co-ordinator of NACWOLA. She, like most of the members lived openly with HIV, defying prejudice and physical threats but they all struggeled with the problem of disclosing to their own children, which inhibited them to plan their future care. Soon, with Batrice`s enthusiasm, the courage of NACWOLA members and the great support of the Ugandan government, the “Memory Project Training Programme” was started. (Smith 2005)
The basic idea of the original concept was that childhood memories are important in helping to determine identity and values as one grows older. (NACWOLA 2009c) Within communities affected by HIV, this is especially important. According to Beatrice Were “children can no longer learn their family backgrounds from their elder like it used to be in the past, especially because many HIV infected parents usually die when their children are very young”. (AcitonAid Uganda 2009)
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The chapter outlines the author's motivation following a documentary and defines the research scope regarding the situation of HIV-affected women and children in Uganda.
2. Uganda: This chapter provides historical statistics on the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Uganda and discusses the systemic issues of gender inequality and domestic violence.
3. NACWOLA and the “Memory Books”: The chapter introduces the NGO NACWOLA and analyzes the structure, therapeutic goals, and challenges of the "Memory Project" and its core instrument, the "Memory Books".
4. Conclusio: The final chapter summarizes the findings on how the "Memory Project" helps mitigate the trauma of orphanhood and empowers families through open communication and documentation.
Keywords
HIV/AIDS, Uganda, NACWOLA, Memory Books, Memory Project, Women, Children, Orphans, Vulnerable Children, Disclosure, Domestic Violence, Psychosocial Support, Resilience, Gender Inequality, Public Health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this paper?
The paper explores the intersection of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the lived experiences of women and children in Uganda, specifically focusing on how the "Memory Project" assists families in navigating terminal illness and bereavement.
What are the primary themes addressed?
The main themes include the societal impact of HIV/AIDS, gender-based violence, women's legal rights, child orphanhood, and the use of creative tools to foster family communication and psychological well-being.
What is the ultimate research objective?
The objective is to analyze the effectiveness of the "Memory Books" in helping HIV-positive parents manage the disclosure of their status to their children and plan for their children's future, while mitigating the stigma and trauma associated with the disease.
Which methodology is employed in this research?
The research is based on a review of existing literature, including government reports, human rights documents, and studies concerning the "Memory Project" and the work of NACWOLA.
What does the main body of the text cover?
The main body covers the historical context of HIV/AIDS in Uganda, the specific challenges women face due to domestic dependency, and a detailed look at how the "Memory Books" function as a bridge between generations.
Which keywords characterize this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as HIV/AIDS, Memory Books, NACWOLA, Uganda, stigma, disclosure, and psychosocial support.
How does the "Memory Project" address the issue of illiteracy among parents?
The project encourages alternative forms of documentation, such as including photos, drawings, and meaningful souvenirs in the books, and facilitates shared writing sessions where children or family members assist the parent.
Why is HIV status disclosure considered so complex for parents?
Disclosure is difficult due to cultural taboos surrounding death and sexuality, fears of stigma, and the concern that children may feel abandoned or burdened by the knowledge of the parent's diagnosis.
- Arbeit zitieren
- BA Nora Demattio (Autor:in), 2009, "Memory Books" - Struggling against the Disappearance, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/187458
