Healthlink Worldwide and NACWOLA presented the findings
of the International Memory Project at the XVI International AIDS
conference, Toronto, Canada, 13-18 August 2006.
A
free CD-ROM of Memory work resources has been compiled to coincide with the
conference. To receive a copy email: info@healthlink.org.uk
Memory work is a practical, child-centred, community-led approach that encourages families to communicate openly about HIV. It is an approach to psychosocial support that nurtures an environment so that disclosing one's HIV status is possible. It is an important entry point to open up discussions around tackling stigma and discrimination.
Scaling up Memory work makes it possible to evaluate its achievements and adaptability across different environments. Partners in the International Memory Project have reflected, analysed and shared key findings from their experiences. This process has been facilitated by using the Most Significant Change (MSC) technique. MSC is a qualitative approach to impact assessment based on a process of gathering and analysing stories of change at different levels.
The key findings and quotations that follow have been taken from over 60 stories collected from communities where partner organisations work.
1. Memory work has strengthened community responses
Through empowering individuals and families in the Memory work process,
the community response to HIV is strengthened. Memory work has a cascading
effect - sharing encourages others to become involved. This strengthens
coping mechanisms at the household and community level and builds peer
support to challenge discrimination and stigma.
A mother from Luweero, Uganda attending an IMP workshop, said: "I met colleagues with similar problems without any hope at all, it was a relief knowing that I was not alone."
A supportive environment is fostered as more people become involved in creating change at the community level.
2. Stigma and discrimination are reduced
Memory work, as and entry point into the community, challenges the social
meaning which lead to discrimination. Disclosure is a powerful aspect
of this process and one of the possible choices that people living with
HIV can make to help them deal with the psychological and social circumstances
of their situation. Some may limit their disclosure to family members
while others may choose to extend it to the wider community. It is important
that the manner in which disclosure takes place, empowering parents and
guardians living with HIV to disclose to children in their care and to
make plans for the future.
"Disclosure is the most significant change in my life because my close relative understood my problem and they helped me in many different ways." Dasha, Ethiopia
As a result, family and community members better understand and become more sensitive to, the realities of people living with HIV. After suffering a great deal of discrimination from family members, Angela, from Zimbabwe, celebrates the positive response brought about through Memory work counselling: "I'm accepted and loved, my family care and are supportive, it's like I have been given a new lease of life."
Memory work is a process that changes how an individual copes with and understands HIV and AIDS.
"I got lessons and improved my attitude towards HIV." Abozenech, Ethiopia
It also draws in family and community members as support. By changing the attitudes of individuals, whole communities can change their attitude towards HIV and AIDS. Empowered through his disclosure, Yeshiwork from Ethiopia speaks of how he was able to gain employment: "I went to the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office of the church and told them that I am HIV positive and have no way to generate income and nowhere to go. They wrote a letter to the church instructing them to help me as much as they can. The church hired me as a janitor. Now I am able to work, and generate an income that can cover the basic needs of me and my child."
3. Memory work has facilitated life skills among at least 2000
children
Memory work empowers children to be part of planning for their future.
by writing Memory Books with their carers, they are encouraged to think
about their future. Children are also encouraged to share their experiences
with each other through child club activities. This strengthens peer
support among children in the community. Through their participation,
children learn ways to strengthen their resilience and coping strategies
at home.
"I am able to guide my young brother and sister at home how to avoid early pregnancy, marriage, HIV/AIDS and I am a peer educator and attached to Butangasi primary young talk club where I provide counselling services to children living with HIV." Child participant, Uganda
4. Parents and carers have demonstrated increased empowerment
living positively with HIV
By strengthening communication channels between adults and children, the Memory work process empowers parents with HIV to live powerfully and positively, directly impacting on their lives and the lives of their children. Parents are encouraged to plan for their children's future with their children and to write wills to protect their children particularly in relation to property inheritance issues. Through this empowering process, carers gain hope and courage to live positively.
"Memory work has helped me to stop blaming myself for things I cannot change." Miriam, zimbabwe
"I had money that I had saved but because I had lost hope, I did not know what to do with the money...with the knowledge of immediate death. But when I attended the memory training, I got courage and I managed to buy a plot of land and I am currently putting up a house, I can now plan day and night. My hope was restored through the memory project training. " Participant, Uganda
5. An enabling environment has been created for prevention
and treatment programmes to take root
Memory work has provided a useful tool for engaging with local contexts.
One key impact for partner organisations is their ability t successfully
adapt the Memory work process to their environment. Initially, disclosure
and establishing communication between adults and children was thought
of as impossible due to cultural factors inherent in various host countries.
"Because of the level of stigma and discrimination and the lack of communication, it seemed almost impossible to convince parents to do that, but it is happening and parents are opening up to their children." Programme Manager, HASPCO, Ethiopia
With the help of training, the Memory Work Manual and the Memory Book, partner organisations were able to make breakthroughs within their communities. Partners have found this so significant that they have mainstreamed Memory work into other organisational programmes.
6. Community-based organisations have achieved greater awareness
of their capacity as change agents
Memory work practitioners facilitate a communication process at the household
and community level. Memory work is adapted to suit the needs of the families
and communities involved, progressing according to the speed with which
each family is comfortable. Partner organisations as change agents are
instrumental in establishing community ownership.
As well, capacity is developed. Individual staff members have gained personal exposure and knowledge from interactions with other organisations involved in progressive communication and support to orphans and vulnerable children.
"[We have] a global view of things instead of seeing the micro and being trapped in that." Programme Manager, HAPSCO, Ethiopia
They have also gained a range of transferable communication and adult education skills as facilitators, trainers and counsellors on the Memory work project.
"I gained a real insight into how to be a good trainer and how to communicate with people." IMP Training Officer, HAPSCO, Ethiopia
The transferable communication skills and deeper awareness of the impact of the pandemic on different dimensions of the community builds the knowledge assets of the community-based organisations.
Implications
The information on this page is also available in printed form as the IMP Policy Brief.