Bridges of Hope - Case study 3  Use of Future Islands with people living with HIV in Zambia
		The Flood and Islands has a lot to offer, especially in our sessions with clients.  I have used an Island of Hope to provide a future perspective for a depressive (HIV positive) client with feelings of hopelessness. Theresa Matafwali, Counsellor, Manasoko Military Hospital, Zambia.   I facilitated two sessions at the Hope House support group for PLWHAs in Lusaka. After discussion around a range of issues facing the group, we use the Future Islands activity, enabling members of the group to imagine and represent how they wanted their personal situation to be at some point in their future. Some shared their visions and drawings. One women, whose husband had recently died of AIDS and had been stigmatised in her community, portrayed herself two years hence still looking healthy and with a big smile on her face. She enthusiastically described her illustrated vision, as if she was already there: "These are my two children, both now at school, happily telling me about all they have learnt. Those are cloths for a small sewing business I have started, which earns me enough money. I have sorted out with an uncle that, if I become ill and die, he will look after my children and their education. My neighbours are there too, greeting me warmly. I have been working with local community and youth groups to educate people about HIV and AIDS. Because I am living with HIV, people listen to me seriously and they now really respect me for doing this. I feel happy and proud of myself." She keeps her picture with her or at her home. Whether or not she actually realises every aspect of the vision, the motivating focus it provides helps her live positively and progress towards her desired future. Peter Labouchere