Narratives of Adolescents Orphaned by HIV/AIDS in Jamaica: Developing Empathetic Listening and Learning Spaces (DELLS)

The study was an exploration of the narratives of the cultural beliefs that inform the life experiences of adolescents orphaned by and living with HIV/AIDS in Jamaica. The purpose of the research was to create an intervention that would promote and expand a culture of involving adolescents in finding, and in some cases, restoring the inner beauty presumably lost by their own muteness given their HIV status. The appreciative inquiry qualitative methodology was used to draw out the life-giving stories from adolescents. Four positive themes, including psychosocial impact and effects and cultural influences, emerged, which debunked some of the preconceived negative notions about adolescents who are orphaned by HIV/AIDS and living in a residential facility in Jamaica.

The research project hopes to influence the proposed intervention, which is developing a culture of empathetic listening and learning spaces specifically in an academic environment such as the Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies at the University of Technology, Jamaica. In addition, other academic, community-based organizations and ministry environments will be targeted. The culture of developing empathetic listening and learning spaces will be especially promoted in the 108congregations of the Church of God in Jamaica. Christiana Church of God will be one of the hubs for developing and practicing an empathetic listening and learning culture.