MODULE 2: ASSIGNMENT 2--PHOTOVOICE PROJECT

PARENTS AND GUARDIANS OF CHILDREN LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS RECEIVING PYSCHO-SOCIAL SERVICES ON POSITIVE LIVING

26/03/2010, Magaya Village, Murewa, Zimbabwe

The two pictures above show parents and guardians of children living with HIV and AIDS participating in a local meeting on pscho-social suport issues on positive living. These are child psychologists at home they need to provide undivided love and help the child to overcome feeling of resentement and self denial. Without proper guidance and support this sometimes its a daunting task to many parents and guardians as most of them lack the skill and knowledge on how to best disclose the HIV status to the child. Also, it is important to note that some of these guardians are living with HIV/AIDS and still at denial then found themselves having to provide care for a positive child. This really inhibits effective support to the child.

From the analysis of the picture, there is clear indication that issues of care are centered on women, very few men are involved in the HIV care and support. HIV and AIDS is not merely a health issue but it further aggravates the social-economic vulnerabilities of women in society.

PROVIDING A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS

26/03/2010, Magaya School, Murewa, Zimbabwe


This is an informal group interaction of Children Living with HIV and AIDS and the facilitor of the meeting with the parents and guardians. This social interaction help to diminish the sense of isolation and improves the self esteem of the child. It is designed to encourage normal growth and development of the child and at the same time help to prevent psychological consequenses.

HIV positive children should be afforded equal opportunity to go to school and actively participate in all activities. Like on this particular day, the children were at school which means that although a child's status should be kept confidential because of fear of stigmatisation consideration should be made of informing those who need to be aware like school teachers who spends the invaluable time with the children. This can help to administer Anti-Retroviral medication at school level.

The most difficult part is that most of these children do not know their HIV status.

BRINGING THE COMMUNITY WOMEN VOICES IN FIGHTING HIV AND AIDS: DZEPFUNDE IN ACTION

27/11/09, Marumisa Village, Murewa, Zimbabwe

Music is a powerful way of information dissemination! The picture above shows the Dzepfunde group perfoming at Rozaria Memorial Trust organised village meeting on the consequenses of Violence Against Women and Girls to the spread of HIV and AIDS. Dzepfunde is a 20 member women only traditional performance group. Dzepfunde plays Jerusarema and Jiti with lyrics string with behaviour change messages that integrates HIV and Violence Against Women.

Their lyrics are cross cutting, they touch on both adults and children whist at the same time they remain modern, tackling issues mainly to do with stigma and discrimination and delivering key messages on positive living.

This community centred initiative demostrates that communities can create a shared vision in the fight against HIV and AIDS of an equitable and sustainable future through locally initiated and managed projects.Such initiatives need compliment through capacity building at village level taking into consideration the dynamism of HIV and AIDS; this enables the communities to measure progress towards the vision of fighting HIV and AIDS.

FIGTING HIV AND AIDS IN SCHOOLS THROUGH TRADITIONAL MUSIC AND THEATRE

28/11/2009, Zhombwe Primary School, Murewa, Zimbabwe

This was part of events during a price giving ceremony on essay competition on HIV and AIDS in schools hosted by Rozaria Memorial Trust, the organisation i work for.

This traditional lyrics called Jiti provides entertainment but at the same time they are educative and informative; it gives a relaxed atmosphere in disseminating various messages on HIV and AIDS. The schools are an effective platform to provide both primary and secondary school-aged children and adolescents with specific, gender sensitive and age appropriate information on HIV and AIDS prevention.
Such initiative shows that if school children are properly organised, they can be effective agents of change within the communities they live in. It encourage community and action orientated research by children to accelerate response to HIV