Deconstructing dominant realities and the co-creation of hope at an HIV/AIDS baby sanctuary

Abstract

The purpose of this research study is to describe emerging realities within an HIV/AIDS baby sanctuary using a social constructionist approach. The study is concerned with the rediscovery of the value of human participation through the deconstruction of emerging problem narratives concerning HIV/AIDS. Co-research was used in which the researcher and the participants were actively involved in the research as coauthors. The study describes alternative realities that were uncovered at Cotlands Baby Sanctuary through the use of language, which was used as a symbolic tool of deconstruction. Through deconstructing the emerging problem narratives, stories of hope were uncovered. These stories of hope were highlighted throughout the research process.