By Mary Julie | Program Manager
It has been almost a year for the younger children between the age group of 6 and 12 years to come together as group for learning about their health and also to play and do activities together in a group. The first meeting for the year 2021 was organized on 18th February and 9 children participated along with their care takers. The support groups have been very effective in building hope and also remove fears about HIV as they find the space safe and supportive.
The sessions for the children have been planned based on the 50 indicators that has been developed on topics related to HIV information, understanding health monitoring indicators, hygiene, life skills, adherence to treatment and positive prevention. The indicators have been developed with the involvement of young people living with HIV who have been part of the centre from their school age.
The first session included group games to build a bonding among themselves and their care takers. The health topics covered were on Personal Hygiene and its benefits and basics of nutrition. The sessions were handled by the youth volunteers of the centre. A life skill session on self awareness was also conducted on that day.
The children enjoyed the time together; especially the games .The learning was easier as it involved activity based sessions and also the support of the care taker. The most interesting one that captivated the children was the hand print that each child enjoyed and shared about it till the end of the day.
A newly enrolled child (Elakiya, 11 year old girl ) living with her widowed mother was initially scared to come to the centre as she thought it was hostel for children, but at the end of the day she was very happy and enthusiastic; and she expressed she wanted to come more frequently.
For 8 year old girl Anu (who has lost both her parents), it was an exciting moment to come out with her grandmother and meet her friends and play games and craft time together .
We thank all our well wishers who have helped us to organize the group meetings and encourage children living with HIV lead a happy and productive life.
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