Project Access Safety Net Rural Elderly & Disabled

We’ve made it through the hot, dry season this year with less haze, thanks to early rains. With the weather shift, we’re now checking for standing water and distributing mosquito coils to help prevent dengue outbreaks. As fevers become more common with the changing temperatures, Soda is up early many mornings, taking community members to clinic and hospital appointments.

We’re pleased to welcome a new team member, Ying. With a background in organic farming, Ying brings valuable skills and extra capacity to support our Access to Care community through home visits and outreach.

In June, we enjoyed another visit from the GPSA volunteers, who helped us organize a Fall Prevention Health Fair in the Maepang sub-district. We had about 80 participants, including village health volunteers, elders, and caregivers. Activities included chair stretches, resistance band exercises, and practical techniques for assisting someone after a fall.

The reading glasses station was—as always—a big hit. We distributed nearly our entire supply, helping many elders regain the ability to read labels, newspapers, and books. We’ve now partnered with a supplier offering us a discount on our next 100 pairs.

One of our key goals this year is to build awareness and connection among local caregivers. Creating a network of trained peers gives them support, shared knowledge, and tools to make their work easier and more effective. Soda continues to meet with clinic staff in our service sub-districts to coordinate joint visits and engage more village health volunteers. Health fairs have proven to be an effective way to involve caregivers and volunteers alike.

As a reminder, village health volunteers are a core part of Thailand’s public health system—usually around 10 per village. They distribute health information, monitor mosquito breeding, and coordinate spraying during dengue outbreaks. We’re working closely with them to strengthen their engagement with elders and people with disabilities in their communities.

Planning is also underway for Emergency Response Training in remote mountain villages. While we wait for the rains to subside and roads to become passable, Soda is meeting with sub-district leaders to confirm access to target areas. Meanwhile, Usar is working with McCormick University to schedule nurse trainers and secure donations of essential supplies.

This is a highly valued program in our local rural communities, and your support makes it all possible.

With gratitude and best wishes for the summer ahead,

Dana, Michael, Evelind, and the Access to Care Team