Holistic Care for 450 HIV Positive Thai Families

During the current worldwide Corona-crisis, it is the vulnerable people who are being hit the hardest. Unfortunately, Siam-Care families are no exception. Many are HIV-infected and hence at risk of getting seriously ill. Many have also lost their income, because shops are closed and people are asked to stay inside. Here we share how we try to make a difference for these people.

Corona is especially dangerous for people with underlying health issues. Most of Siam-Care's families are suffering from HIV, TB, or other diseases. Hence they have to be very careful not to get infected with Covid-19, as it may cause serious, and perhaps even life-threatening, health issues. So far, almost 2000 people got infected to date. HIV-infected families have to regularly pick up their medication from the hospital. Usually this involved a long waiting time at the hospital, usually about half a day. As our families would encounter other people here, it would potentially be a dangerous place. Therefor Siam-Care has found a different solution. Together with the local hospital in Mukdahan, we have decided that our staff will pick up all the medication of our families, and will deliver it to the houses of our families, so that they don't have to sit in a waiting room with many strangers. In this way, we are hoping to decrease the chances of our families getting infected with Covid-19.

Financial support
Due to the spread of the virus, the Thai hospital has urged people to stay home and practice social distancing. As a consequence, many of Siam-Care's families have lost their income. Most of them work as day laborers, so having no work, means having no income at all. Most families haven't saved up any money, so this is a very challenging situation for most of them. Siam-Care has decided to financially compensate our families with a small donation. The Thai government has recently announced that informal workers will be able to claim 5000 baht (around 140 Euro's) in government assistance per month during the Covid-19 Coronavirus crisis. Informal workers means temporary workers, contractors and the self-employed, which is the case with most Siam-Care families. This program and payments begin on April 1 and the aid will be provided for at least three months, from April through June, to those who register and qualify. 

Making facial masks
In many provinces of Thailand, it is currently compulsory to wear a mask, to prevent this virus from spreading. The problem is, that in many places, all masks are sold-out. Siam-Care staff in Mukdahan has decided to make masks themselves, for their own use and for Siam-Care families who don't have their own masks.

Please help!
Like we mentioned above, these are financially very challenging times for our families. The 5000 baht government support is a great gesture, but it is not enough to make ends meet. It would be great if you would consider donating to those in need. We will make sure your donation ends up with the people who need it the most. 
 

Siam-Care often hosts volunteers. Lisanne van Hasselaar is one of them and she would like to share a recent experience she underwent while volunteering for Siam-Care.

Far outside of Bangkok lives Lookpa. A 23-year old mother, who lives in a nice house with her two children, her boyfriend and her grandmother. They have to work a lot, but at this moment their life seems quite good. Especially if you compare it with a few years ago.

When Lookpa was 15 years old, she gave birth to her son, and a few years later she gave birth to a daughter. They were living in a very bad slum. For example, if you wanted to enter the house, you had to climb through a window since there was no door. They were poor and didn’t had barely enough money to support their family. With the support of Siam-Care they could survive.

But Lookpa’s boyfriend ended up in the drug circuit. One day, the police came to arrest him. That was a horrible and messed up day, Lookpa and her children weren’t safe anymore. So they had to flee and ended up roaming the streets. They had no place to go. After a while Siam-Care found Lookpa and her family. She got the help she needed and got a place to live.

Two years ago Lookpa’s boyfriend was released from prison. Now they both are working as drivers for a school, in the morning and afternoon. Between these times Lookpa has to take care of her grandmother. And if she has some free time, she works as a motorbike taxi driver. It is a lot to handle for a 23-year old girl, but she does it anyway. Her children can go to school and they have a safe place to sleep.For her, that is important and that keeps her going. But she is also very grateful for the continuous support of Siam-Care. She needs the money, but she needs the counseling and the moral support even more. We are happy to help this strong young woman. Thank you for making this possible with your support.