'Mamohato Network hosts Caregiver Days
84 HIV positive teenagers and their carers have just taken part in the 'Mamohato Network's latest event, two Caregiver Days. Children from the 'Mamohato Teen Clubs invited along their key caregiver for a day of discussion, learning, socialising, fun and games.
Working with the Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation, Sentebale offers a vital youth support group for children from Baylor and the Bophelong Clinic through the Teen Clubs. The Clubs are held monthly, and offer open discussions for teenagers about the challenges and successes of living with HIV in Lesotho.
Caregiver Days have been introduced to extend this vital work to parents and caregivers of children with HIV. Through these days they are included in this safe, supportive and fun environment; they receive education and support for their challenging and demanding jobs caring for HIV positive children.
Held in August, the first gathering was for 42 12 to13 year olds, and there were another 42 14 to 18 year olds for the second day when they were joined by Her Majesty Queen 'Masenate Mohato Seeiso who is Patron of the Camps, and Sentebale's Patron Prince Seeiso.
Doctors, nurses and social workers from the Clinics led informative medical sessions, and Counsellors from Camp 'Mamohato organised fun, songs, games and activities followed by a delicious braii for everyone.
Each child brought along their closest caregiver for the day. Communication was the key theme; this was explored through discussion, plays, quizzes and personal stories. Stigma towards people living with HIV was discussed at length, and the children and carers discussed how best to deal with discrimination.
The difference between HIV and AIDS was also focused on so the teenagers realised the importance in taking their medication to prevent their condition turning into AIDS. A positive outlook was encouraged, with a strong focus on looking to the future; the teenagers and their carers discussed what they would like their lives to look like in ten years time.
Introducing carers to the Teen Club activities proved to be a great success. One caregiver said that she felt that it had given her new hope for her child; she had assumed that because of having HIV her child had no future, but after everything she learnt she was more hopeful and happy - she realised that through taking ARV's her child had a future.
One mother told a counsellor about how much her son enjoys Camp and Teen Club, and how he talks constantly about it as he feels so comfortable and happy there. After the Caregiver Day she said that she understood why; as well as being fun she could see how comfortable and content the teenagers were with each other and what a positive experience spending time together and learning more about their condition was for them.
© Sentebale 2007
