Example Reflection – Storytelling

Challenge & Selection

Storytelling is a great tool that I use all the time. I work with vulnerable people, youth who  are infected with HIV & AIDS (chronic disease). It is sad to see such young citizen loosing  hope about their life time / future.  They need to be encouraged and inspired as some of  them they find it hard to accept their situation/ statuses, which makes them to hide their  emotions. I share some stories that are related to their situation in order to help them to  open up about their situation.

Most are often lonely and emotional I show sympathy and care. I have already tried using  other different kinds of design thinking tools but storytelling is the best tool.

Application

I have a story about storytelling; I explained to them that being affected does not mean it’s  the end of the world. Tried telling them that many people live with the HIV and I  encouraging them that all they need is to take their Medication/ARVs, eat healthy and  exercise also protecting them. They looked happy and inspired; they showed interest by  asking more questions about how they should deal with this disease.

However two young girls didn’t show any interest, they looked sad. I realised that I need to  get through to them and find out what is going on. I invited them to play skipping rope with  me, after we sat down and talked. They lost their mother from this disease so there was no  hope for them.

Insight & Approach

After listening to their story it was my time to share mine, I told them about my aunt who  also died from this disease and how scared her kids and family was after finding out. And  they had to go and test, only one of them was infected and I showed them her picture how  well and happy she looked. I told them that she is taking her medication and it’s been five  years already living with it now. They smiled, meaning the story worked well all they needed  was attention and encouragement.

I was happy to see them smile, being hopeful and gave them a hug, I told them everything is  going to be alright.  I can now prepare and think about some stories to help others out.


Example Reflection – Storytelling Challenge & Selection Storytelling is a great tool that I use all the time . I work with vulnerable people , youth who are infected with HIV & AIDS ( chronic disease ) . It is sad to see such young citizen loosing hope about their life time / future . They need to be encouraged and inspired as some of them they find it hard to accept their situation/ statuses , which makes them to hide their emotions . I share some stories that are related to their situation in order to help them to open up about their situation . Most are often lonely and emotional I show sympathy and care . I have already tried using other different kinds of design thinking tools but storytelling is the best tool . Application I have a story about storytelling ; I explained to them that being affected does not mean it ’s the end of the world . Tried telling them that many people live with the HIV and I encouraging them that all they need is to take their Medication / ARVs , eat healthy and exercise also protecting them . They looked happy and inspired ; they showed interest by asking more questions about how they should deal with this disease . However two young girls did n’t show any interest , they looked sad . I realised that I need to get through to them and find out what is going on . I invited them to play skipping rope with me , after we sat down and talked . They lost their mother from this disease so there was no hope for them . Insight & Approach After listening to their story it was my time to share mine , I told them about my aunt who also died from this disease and how scared her kids and family was after finding out . And they had to go and test , only one of them was infected and I showed them her picture how well and happy she looked . I told them that she is taking her medication and it ’s been five years already living with it now . They smiled , meaning the story worked well all they needed was attention and encouragement . I was happy to see them smile , being hopeful and gave them a hug , I told them everything is going to be alright . I can now prepare and think about some stories to help others out .