Implemented by Bangkok YMCA Foundation at Tambon Mabkae, Ampur Muang, Nakorn Pathom Province

The details information of the project is as follow :

At present, the status of children affected by AIDS in Thailand is rapidly increasing. Statistics for 2001 indicated that there were about 95,106 child AIDS orphans, out of which 47,417 have HIV/AIDS. Most of these children stay with their families because these families are very poor. The agencies, both government and non-government, that provide assistance to these children, are inadequate to handle this problem. In particular, there is a lack of housing and rehabilitation programs for children affected by HIV/AIDS within Bangkok and its neighbouring areas.

The above reasoning has led the YMCA Foundation to realize the need of getting involved in improving the quality of life of the children. The YMCA Foundation demands that their rights be protected and that they be treated humanely. In conclusion, children impacted by HIV/AIDS will grow up facing physical and mental pressures that can retard their development, unless they have the care and acceptance of society.

The Project and Its Objectives
The YMCA Foundation is well aware of this situation and has, therefore, established a project to assist the child orphans affected by AIDS in providing housing and education. In addition, it has also promoted the understanding of the AIDS issue to the community by providing care and participation in supporting these children. At present, Ban Piam Suk ( Happy Home Center) is a housing project for child orphans affected by AIDS under the management of the YMCA Foundation.

The project has been in operation since December 2000. Here is an example case story of a girl who has stayed in the center. She is 5 years old. Before the YMCA Foundation provided assistance, her life had been full of trouble and distress. She lived with her aunt in a small shanty in a slum area. Her parents died of AIDS several years ago. Last year her aunt was arrested and put in jail because of severe drug-misuse. Consequently nobody took care of her. She was sent for temporary stays in various places. She was isolated and was abused by other relatives. The health officer from the public hospital contacted the YMCA Foundation and asked for help to provide care for the child. At that time the Happy Home project had not yet been established, so we sent her to the YMCA emergency home in Phayao province. After it was accomplished with contributions from various partner organizations for the purpose of serving young orphans affected by AIDS. She is there now and has a new life. Living at the Happy Home Center, she became cheerful and friendly. Her favourite activity is playing with her toys. She enjoys her life in the center where she is touched by love and warmth in her new family. This is a case which the project has taken a child from a life of despair and hopelessness to one of hope and joy.

The Project Aims at the Following Objectives:
1. To provide "Happy Home" for children whose parents died of AIDS and children affected by HIV/AIDS.
2. To provide accommodation, medical care and scholarships (education and medical) for the target group.
3. To assist in finding guardians and adoptive families for orphaned children.
4. To empower and encourage AIDS orphans and children affected by HIV/AIDS to enhance their quality of life and child rights in terms of their development process.
5. To organize community support for children and families who are affected by HIV/AIDS, particularly to strengthen the process of positive living strategies.
6. To initiate an income generating revolving loan fund program to provide for the children's families who are affected by HIV/AIDS in order to help them increase their income and improve their social and economic status.
7. To develop a network of people from every social class to contribute financial support, human resources, professional expertise and greater community awareness toward AIDS orphans and children affected by HIV/AIDS.

Project Implementation
The Bangkok YMCA Foundation in cooperation with the steering committee for AIDS Orphan Care Project of Japan (AOP Japan) leaded by Mr.Noboru Yoshida, Chairman, started the AIDS Orphan Care Project in 1999. The first funds were received to buy a piece of land in March 2000, and the first two houses, sponsored by Yamanashi YMCA and Rotary Clubs in Japan, were completed in November of the same year. The opening ceremony for these 2 houses was held on December 12, 2000. The first group of 11 AIDS orphans was accepted into the center. With the financial support of Grassroots Network A Grain of Wheat, Yokohama YMCA and India Gospel League, the YMCA Foundation was able to start the operation of the center.

The project plans to have 10 houses to accommodate 100 orphans in this Center. It is a difficult and heavy task for the Steering Committee for AIDS Orphan Care Center Project of both Japan and Bangkok YMCA Foundation. However, with the cooperation and support of many parties, especially the Y's Men's Club of Yokohama and its partners, Dr. Hisao Oka and Mr. Manfred Schulenburg, the project held the opening of three more houses in August 22, 2001. These can accommodate 30 more AIDS orphans. The number of orphans increased, but the center lacked appropriate facilities such as a kitchen, a dining room, and a space to do the program activities with the children. The YMCA Foundation applied to the Embassy of Japan in Thailand through Mr. Akeo Nakamura, the first secretary, for grant assistance. The Embassy of Japan kindly provides funding the construction of the multipurpose building with full dinning facilities and equipment. At the same time the 2 two - storied houses donated by Y's Men's club of Kamakura and Kumamoto YMCA together with other AOP Japan donors started construction. The opening ceremony of these three buildings will be held on December 2, 2002.

Program Specifics
• Scholarship Program
• Nutrition Food Program, especially milk for malnourished children
• Health Care Treatment Program
• Child Development Program
• Case Visiting and Counseling Program
• Community Awareness to assist AIDS affected Children Program

This year we have put emphasis on encouraging and empowering the children so that they can adjust to their economic and social status and continue their studies.

Scholarship program
A greater focus is on educational development. All the children are attending the school nearby the center. There are 32 children in the Center now. Their ages are from 3-14 years.( Kindergarten = 10, Primary = 20, Secondary = 2 )
Another 34 children in the project live with their relatives in Bangkok communities.( Kindergarten = 6, Primary = 23, Secondary = 5 )

The Nutrition Food Program
During the year we have provided nutritional food to the community children, especially milk, for eight small children in the project, who had faced malnutrition problems through their environment.

Health Care Treatment Program
There are small children infected with HIV and are in poor health. The YMCA staff takes them to visit the doctor to have medical checks every month. The YMCA staff keep in contact with the health personnel in the hospital in order to be able to refer cases when there is sickness.

Child Development Program
• Development activities that allow children to adjust to the changes in their living conditions from their former domicile with their former living parents to Happy Home Center. In the latter, there are house regulations and children live with other children. Here, they have the opportunity to practice their language, gestures,behavior, and their way of life while learning how to help themselves and others and how to live on equal terms with their housemates.
• Development activities that emphasize the improvement of the children in every aspect including physical, spiritual, social, mental, emotional and language to enable children to learn to review themselves, to develop patience, and how to act when together with other individuals in society.
• Development activities with emphasis on the promotion of life experiences to allow children to have the opportunity to go on study trips of various important Thai historical and cultural places, e.g. Sanam-Chan Royal Palace, Zoo, Phra Pathom Chedi, Wax Museum and camping.
• Development activities for children to nurture their imagination and creativity through clay sculpture, painting, music, and folk arts, etc.
• Activities that help develop mind and spirit of children by allowing them to participate in Sunday school and the various recreational activities conducted by the church.

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International Y's Men's Club of Bangkok, Thailand
since 1996