Orphans and Vulnerable Children - CRIN

Memory Boxes and Books

A memory book can be made for each child in the household.

Memory books are important because:

• They can help a child locate his or her relatives because they
  include family trees, which show the history of the child


• They can help a child to know important background
  information about where they come from and about
  their family


• They may help to facilitate the disclosure of a parent’s HIV status.

A memory book can be written by:

• The mother, father or guardian of a child who would like to record the child’s life and
  his or her relationship with the child


• Anybody who wants to record important information about his or her family and life.

A memory book can be kept safely for the child:

• In a clean place in the guardian’s or family’s house


• With a close friend


• With a counsellor


• At a church.

A memory book can include the following information about the child:

• A family tree of the parents, grandparents and relatives of the child


• The child’s birth: where, which doctor, what hospital, who was aroundand photos, if possible


• The child’s first smile, first words, when the child began crawling and walking


• The child’s early experiences and memorable things about the child’s life


• The child’s health history. This could include early illnesses and mmunisations recorded


• The child’s education: nursery school, his or her first day at primary school and other records


• Things the child used to like and dislike


• The parent or caretaker’s hopes and expectations for the child


• The child’s recent achievements and experiences.
  All this information should be as detailed as possible. Include photographs, if possible.

Information about the mother and father:

• Names of the mother and father and their parents, included in the family tree


• Where and how they grew up, including their childhood memories, how they used to look


• What they liked and disliked as children and as adults


• Their education, talents, work skills and jobs


• Their religious background and beliefs


• Their health history, including any illness


• Disclosure of important information (this is where his or her HIV status can be disclosed)
  
  
  • Their special message for the child.
  
  
  
  

Handout 3 - Module 4 Topic 4

Guide to Mobilising and Strengthening Community-Led Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children Appendix 1, Handouts^341