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After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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Hope Ambassador Doll Project

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Hope Ambassador Doll Project is an art therapy programme, using dolls, that aims to reduce anxiety and stress that children experience as a result of HIV/AIDS. The project aims to provide an element of fun within the clinic setting while fostering communication, connectedness, HIV education, group support, adherence to medication, and destigmatisation of HIV/AIDS among children, caregivers, and health care professionals. The project aims to communicate about HIV/AIDS across geographical borders: Children affected by HIV/AIDS paint faces on dolls and exchange them with other such children around the world.
Communication Strategies

"A child who is infected with HIV/AIDS created Hope." Hope is a doll that functions as an ambassador for the project. She accompanies the other dolls to clinics throughout the world, spreading the message: "I know there is Hope, because I have seen her with my own eyes."

The organisers say the doll offers friendship and support to HIV-infected children worldwide. "'Hope' is used as an educational tool, giving the many children infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS, a face and a voice to spread awareness and education about HIV/AIDS."

Hope made her first trip to Gaborone, Botswana in July 2002. At that time, children and families in the clinic were asked to paint blank cotton muslin dolls before and/or after clinic appointments. They were given the option to keep their first doll or leave it in the clinic to travel with Hope. "Children and family members were encouraged to write a note describing themselves, their feelings about living with HIV/AIDS, and their feelings about taking medications. A photograph of the ‘artist' was taken and this was attached to the doll, along with the artist's message."


Some of the dolls travelled with Hope back to the United States, and others travelled to Romania, where other HIV-positive and HIV-affected children have had the opportunity to take the dolls as gifts and read the attached messages sent by children in Botswana. "These children, in turn, have created their own dolls that have travelled back to Botswana and elsewhere around the world."

Development Issues

Children, HIV/AIDS

Key Points

The project aims to empower children to help other children by demonstrating to them that they are not alone, thereby helping to eliminate feelings of isolation and discrimination. "Ultimately, the Hope Ambassador Doll Project hopes to connect thousands of HIV-infected and affected children in dozens of centers in the United States and around the world."

Partners

Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative

Sources

Bayloraids website.