Orphans and Vulnerable Children - CRIN

1 Disclosing Sensitive Information to Children

In this activity, you will:

 Discuss ways to disclose sensitive information to children

Facilitator’s notes:

If a person is sick with HIV/AIDS or another serious illness, it is important for this person to disclose
this information to his or her children. Age-sensitive disclosure will help children to understand what
is happening to their parent or guardian, so that they have some emotional and psychological
preparation for their loss. It is important that a child has this preparation, as secrecy only creates
confusion in children. When children are not told the truth, they have a gap in their understanding
and cannot grieve appropriately. It also creates shame in a child, as all they know
is that something went wrong and that somehow they were involved.

Disclosure can also help children begin to prepare for their lives after the
death of their parents. For example, the sick person can tell the children
who will look after them, what relatives can help them and what property
the parents will leave for their support. This will give them a sense of
security, especially if they are able to have an input into the choice of
guardian.

In this activity, you will discuss ways that ill parents can be helped to
disclose this information to their children.

Activity 6

Disclosing sensitive information to children

Benefits of disclosing one’s HIV status or any other serious illness to children:

• It prepares children for the future


• It reduces confusion, and the resulting depression, after the parents have died


• It may stop children from running to the streets


• It reduces the spread of HIV, as children become aware of this disease


• It gives parents the chance to give children important information about themselves
  and the family


• It helps the child understand their late parents’ values and wishes


• It helps the child to take on responsibility


• It increases openness and respect between parents and children.

Times and situations for the disclosure of difficult information:

• When you are alone with your child


• When you are sober


• When you are feeling healthy


• In a quiet place (for example, in your bedroom or sitting room after a meal).

Refer to Module 2 on

pages 178 to 183 for

more information on

communicating with

children; and advice

on helping grieving

children in Module 2

on page 185

note !!

Guide to Mobilising and Strengthening Community-Led Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children Unit 2, Module 4^287