Keeping the memory alive

In Uganda, Plan supports family therapy that uses memory books.

The memory book, developed in the UK and pioneered in Uganda by the National Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS, is a way to help both children and parents prepare for life after the death of one or both parents. The book is divided into about 30 sections, for example ‘Your birth’, ‘As a baby, you …’, ‘The story of your family’, ‘People who are special to you’ and moves through to ‘My hopes for your future’.

Written by a parent, the book may also contain photos, drawings, postcards, certificates and letters from key stages of the child’s life.

Keeping a memory book is part of succession planning and serves three main purposes:

• it opens the discussion between parents and children about the health condition of one or both parents,
• it helps parents and children plan jointly for the children’s future,
• and it establishes a record of the family history and of important childhood memories as an anchor for the child in later life.