When Swazi adults are asked to recall some childhood memory or something about their parents, most times, they are unable. This trend will continue as long as HIV/AIDS has some control in Swaziland. People are dying at such a young age, often times, leaving behind small children. It’s no wonder that people can’t remember a thing about their mom or dad.
We have been helping create what are called ‘legacy books’ for people that are infected with HIV/AIDS. The mom and/or dad will come in for an interview where they can leave any words or memories that they want to pass on to their children. In the interview, they provide as much of their family tree as they are able to recall. They are also asked of things like their hobbies, their favorite Bible passage, and their favorite food. With a couple snapshots that we take, we then contruct the book. Some of our artsier people prepare almost like a scrapbook of the information and the pictures taken. Once complete, the book is then returned to the parent. The idea is that the parent will then hand the legacy book to their children as something to treasure after their parents have passed on.
A number of parents have come to have a book made. They want to be remembered by their children long after they’ve died. I believe that the children will appreciate the legacy book, be it now or in the future. Being able to see a photo of their mom or dad and reading what their parent had to say will help keep the parent’s legacy going. The children will never have to wonder if their mom or dad loved them because of the words in the book. It really has been an honor to be apart of something so special between a dying parent and their children.
