HOME COUNSELLING WITH CARING

There are basic principles to effective counseling.

The first is not to talk too much.  When counselor

and the person meet, there could be a handshake

or a gentle hug.

The family member could be greeted. It is important

to know if a family member is present, the counselor

should be informing and teaching both people.

All could sit under a tree. There is friendly silence for

a few moments. The counselor asks how the person

is? The counselor listens quietly.

So she has stopped smoking as advised. The family

has moved to a diet of fruit and vegetables. That is

wonderful news says the counselor.

Are you drinking plenty of clean water? You are! That

is great. Uncle, your niece is looking good. She seems

to be putting on weight.

And what about your baby daughter? She is 4 months

old now. Have you gone off breast milk? Did you take

her for a VCCT test? And she is negative.

Good. She can stay that way. If you follow Positive

Living, you will see her graduate from high school.

I am glad we went to see Susu Mamas last month.

Are you following their advice on breast feeding?

Great.

The secret of counseling is not to tell too much too

soon. The counselor has only talked about cigarette
smoking, drinking clean water, eating fruit / vegetables,
putting on weight and living in a happy family. It was
developed over 4 visits.

The person is a young woman who has been to grade

7. It is not important to tell her all about the damage to
the gut lining and breakdown in absorption of nutrients,

water and salts.

The counselor can stress importance of keeping healthy

and eating fruit and vegetables. New information can be
that fruit and vegetables should be clean, ripe and fresh.
This will keep the intestine healthy.

More information can be to cut down on rubbish meat.

The family attended a highlands mumu last month. The

young lady was warned on the last visitation not to eat

too much pig meat and other fatty meat.

If the counsellor is from a church, the visitation can be
ended on a positive note with a prayer. Thank God that
the young lady is following Positive Living and looking
healthy. Thank God that she lives in a loving family.

Mention at the end that it may be time for her to go on
ARV drugs. Tell her modern knowledge that it is better
to take ARV drugs sooner rather than later. It helps her
intestine to heal and allows food and water to enter the
body and be used.

A home counsellor should be discrete. If strangers are
in the house, the counsellor should postpone the visit.

Perhaps arrangements can be made by mobile phone.