Holistic Care for 450 HIV Positive Thai Families

Over the years, Siam-Care has been making a difference for many children in need. There is always this one child, which story we remember better than any other child. For our staff Passawan, this is the story of So, a girl whose life had a rough start.

When we asked Passawan, who has been working and volunteering for Siam-Care for more than 15 years, who’s story we should share with our donors, she immediately mentioned So’s name. We met So in 2001, when So was only 6 years old. She was referred to Siam-Care by the local hospital. So was very weak, due to her HIV-infection. She was born infected, since both of her parents were infected with the HIV-virus as well. Even though she was old enough to go to school, she did not attend school. She was too weak, even so weak that people around her feared that she would maybe pass away at a young age. So refused to take her medication, which could make her feel better. Every time her mother tried to let So take her medication, she cried and screamed until her mother stopped trying.

Life improved gradually
Even though So was weak, she was a very cheerful girl. She loved to dance and would always perform during Siam-Care family camps. The image of this dancing and smiling young girl, is still burned into the memory of our staff Passawan and always puts a smile on her face. And seeing how So is doing now, 17 years after we met her, also puts a big smile on Passawan’s face. So is now 23 years old and faithfully takes her medication. Siam-Care staff was able to gradually convince So of the importance of taking medication and explained many times why So could not live without medication. Her CD4, which is like a snapshot of how well your immune system is functioning, is at the right level. So also has a son now, who is as healthy as can be. When HIV-infected pregnant woman take their medication during the pregnancy, the chances of their baby being born infected are very slim. So now enjoys life and is thankful for Siam-Care’s help. We cannot heal So from HIV and she will have to accept that she needs to be careful with her health and take medication every day for the rest of her life. But we were able to stand next to her and guide and counsel her through the troubles she faces in life. Thank you for your support. Because of people like you, Siam-Care can reach out to people like So.

So would like to stay anonymous, hence we have used a picture of somebody else

People often ask us: where do you meet the families which Siam-Care supports? Often people are being referred to us by local hospitals. We have good relationships with many Thai hospitals and doctors know we can offer more personal care than a hospital. But sometimes we meet families somewhere else; in front of a 7-11 (convenience store) for example, like the family of Bib and Boss (not their real names).

Bib is 7 years old, his little brother Boss is 4. They are not a family like any other. Their mother abandoned her children when they were only 3 and 1 years old. She moved to another province and has never contacted her children since. She just ditched them with her mother; the grandmother of Bib and Boss. And their father? He is in prison. He was caught selling drugs and was sentenced with 21 years inprisonment. So Bib and Boss are being raised by their 57 year old grandmother.

Not a safe environment
To say that grandmother is not rich, would be an understatement. She earns money by selling sausages, in front of a local 7-11 convenience store. After school, the boys sit with their grandmother and can only go home once grandmother has sold all her food. Often they have to wait until 10 PM, while they have to go to school the next day. They haven't got much to do; they have no toys and simply have to sit and wait, outside, where it is very hot. The 7-11 is located next to a big road, so the air they breathe, is very much polluted. All in all, it is not a safe and good environment for children to spend their every afternoon and evening in.

Move to different place
Siam-Care staff often buys food at this very 7-11 store and noticed these 2 little boys sitting outside, every single day. Our staff started chatting with grandmother and learned that Boss and Bib are being raised by their grandmother, who only makes about 250 Thai Baht per day, which is hardly enough to survive on. Siam-Care already started talking about supporting this family, and maybe we can help grandmother start selling food on a safer and cleaner place. 

Little bit of love
There is not a whole lot we can do for Bib and Boss. We cannot buy them a new father or mother. We cannot give them a bag of money so they can buy a house. We can only help support this family and counsel them. Buy them some food, help support their education and invite them to fun events at our office. Life isn't always fair. It is hard for us to see in what kind of circumstances Bib and Boss grow up. The only thing we can do, is show them a little love and try to make life a little easier for them. Because of donors like you, we can reach out to them and make a little difference in the lives of people like Bib and Boss. Thank you so much, it means a lot to us and the families we look after!