Children’s Retreat Day

“Friends of Tim” Children’s Retreat Day

Once a month a group of 50 HIV+ children gather at the TT&F farm for a day of learning, fun and exercise. The specific objectives of the day are:

Health Education
Developing self-reliance tools for children, adherence-promoting.
Creating environment of safety and love for the children which may be missing from their normal daily environments.
Explore ways to combat paediatric HIV related Stigma and Discrimination.
Empower Children with HIV to understand their rights and responsibilities.
Create novel methods of communicating about ARV medications and their importance in daily living.
Create a safe environment for children living with HIV to talk about:
1. Feelings of guilt or feeling condemned by the infection;
2. Express some of the difficulties with daily taking of medication and other adherence-related issues.
3. Explore feeling around reproductive health and education and HIV prevention.

The following is a photo description of the day:

Members of the Kachele Women’s Support Group arrive early to start preparing the meal.

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The children arrive by bus

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The day starts with exercise, games and dancing.

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The staff, consisting of people from TT&F, CIDRZ (Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia), St. George Ambulance and Grass Roots Soccer, get instructions.

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A light breakfast is served.

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Members of CIDRZ danced.

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A little dancer

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The staff put on a skit about the King who did not want an HIV+ boy in his village – until he became sick himself and was made better by taking the HIV medicine.