Holistic Care for 450 HIV Positive Thai Families

Sakina (born in 2011) is a girl without a family. She has moved several times in her young life and lived with different people. Siam-Care is the only stable factor in her life. This is her sad story. With hopefully a better future.

When Sakina was still a baby, both her parents abandoned her. Sadly, this is a common problem in Thailand. Her grandmother cared for her from that moment on. Sadly, her grandmother, who had little income due to poor health and old age, died when Sakina was 10. Sakina then went to live with a cousin, but he didn't care for her. Then, one of her grandmother's neighbors took Sakina in. However, the adults in this house were all arrested last year for illegal logging. And so Sakina was alone again, at only 14 years old. Siam-Care has been there ever since and covers Sakina's school fees. Our staff has become like family to her and is now the one present at information evenings at school, for example. After the arrest of her caregivers, we decided, in consultation, to place Sakina in a local boarding school, where she studies, sleeps, and lives.

Freedom vs. loneliness
Sakina is a quiet girl who rarely complains. She says she enjoys the freedom (no family), but of course, there is a sense of loneliness. She is currently in the 8th gradee and English is her favorite subject. She performs well and regularly connects with Siam-Care. Last month, she also attended our camp in Mukdahan, which she thoroughly enjoyed (see photo below). She learned that she's not the only one growing up without a family.

Help children like Sakina
Sakina has no family to cover her school fees. So we do. And we support her in her journey. Without help, she can't go to school and is completely alone. Do you want to give children like Sakina a future? Help us help them!

Earlier this month, we received the sad news that a girl from our sponsorship program passed away suddenly at the age of 17. She wasn't ill, which came as a huge shock to everyone. She is survived by her mother and an older brother.

Because the family is Muslim, they want to accept God's will and not have an autopsy. Therefore, the exact cause of death remains unknown. We only know that she suddenly became unwell, began shaking, and lay down. She died shortly afterward. Her mother, who was present, was naturally deeply affected. With Siam-Care, we stand by her and offer her a shoulder to cry on.

Earlier this year, we shared Kaldiya's story on our website. She was a model girl who worked hard, both in school and outside of school. She lived in poverty with her mother in the southern province of Phang Nga. Only with the help of Siam-Care was she able to attend school. We heard nothing but positive things about her from her mother, her teachers, and neighbors. Even during our visits to her and her mother, she was always polite, interested, and well-behaved. We are deeply saddened by this loss.

Below, we'd like to share the story we wrote about her earlier this year, to honor this special girl.

March 2024: 
Kaldiya is a 15-year-old girl who lives with her mother, Cha (born 1972), in southern Thailand. Her father is still alive but completely out of the picture. Kaldiya's greatest wish? "I want to go to university and become a teacher." This is a story about never giving up.

When Kaldiya was two, her mother left her father because he was an absent and bad father and husband. This left her to care for Kaldiya alone while earning an income. She explains: “I sell Thai desserts for 5 baht each. My expenses are 3 baht per dessert, so I earn 2 baht each. Most mornings I start at 3 a.m. and sell the desserts at the market and to nearby shops.” Siam-Care helped her buy baking supplies, which she uses to make the desserts. Despite her hard work, she doesn't earn enough to pay for Kaldiya's education.

Work hard
Because of her mother's Islamic background, she is uneducated, and Kaldiya wasn't destined to study. Unfortunately, her ex-husband refused to work, so she has been working since her daughter was born. With Siam-Care's help, Kaldiya is still able to attend school. She is currently in the third year of high school and is working hard to get ahead. "Together with friends, I save 10 baht every day to pay my registration fee later. Siam-Care's support helps enormously; I wouldn't be able to do it on my own." Kaldiya also makes rice at home every day so she doesn't have to buy lunch at school and saves money. Siam-Care bought a school outfit for Kaldiya and covers travel expenses to and from school.

Big dream
Kaldiya's biggest dream? "I'd like to go to university and then become a teacher. Tuition is high, but with the help of Siam-Care, I can get there. I'm also practicing as a teaching assistant at a weekend school for Muslims. This is giving me the necessary experience." When we ask her about her future dreams, she's quick to answer: "I want my daughter to be able to complete her studies, which was never possible for me." She and her daughter also hope to one day own a moped, so they can more easily travel to school and work.