The Memory Work Trainer's Manual: Supporting Families Affected by HIV and AIDS

According to this publication, memory work is a community-led approach to encourage families to communicate openly about HIV. It is designed to help parents look at how to disclose their HIV status to their children, record important information in "memory books", and plan for the future. This manual has emerged from experience of memory work in Africa. It is designed to help trainers through a course to support parents, guardians, and caregivers affected by HIV and AIDS by helping them to: share information, hopes, and fears with their children; strengthen each child's sense of identity and belonging; and plan for the future care of their children.

The course consists of 12 modules. According to the publication, participants should ideally cover all the modules, but the course has been designed to be flexible. Module 1, the introductory session, guides trainers and participants on how to prioritise and negotiate which modules to cover. Each module has a consistent structure in order to help participants plan the session:

• Trainer's introduction
• Trainer's preparation
• Trainer's guidance

The memory work approach is designed to evolve, responding to the changing needs and circumstances of communities - for example, the increasing access to antiretroviral therapy. However, the publishers say that the focus of memory work on disclosing HIV status and improving communication between parents and children remains key in an environment where people are living longer with HIV.