ACTIVITIES REPORT ON THE

Free Web Hosting Provider - Web Hosting - E-commerce - High Speed Internet - Free Web Page

ACTIVITIES REPORT ON THE

HOME FOR CHILDREN WITH HIV/AIDS

FOR THE YEAR 2002

INTRODUCTION

As the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Thailand continues, the lack of a unified and committed response by Thai society, communities and individuals to the needs of children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS becomes increasingly apparent. Some children infected with HIV/AIDS have become orphans when both their fathers and mothers have died of AIDS. Other children with a remaining parent when one has died are effectively orphaned because the remaining parent or other relatives, for whatever reason, are not able to care for them. Others are effectively orphaned because their relatives are reluctant or refuse to take care of them. Consequently, they have no one to take care of them. They lack the love and warmth they would have received from their natural families. They do not have an opportunity to get an education. When these children grow up, they are ill-equipped to take an active part in society; economic hardship and social dislocation may well be their future.

The following document is a report on the children and staff that are part of the Camillian Social Centre Home for Children Living with HIV/AIDS. In May 1998 the Camillian Social Centre in Rayong began working with children living with HIV/AIDS (CLWHA) and was officially opened with a religious ceremony in November 1999.

The children living with HIV/AIDS need special care and attention because of the effects of the disease and the side effects of the medicine. The staff becomes intimately acquainted with the children and tries to provide what a child needs for its psychological well-being. Special tutors provide literacy classes appropriate to the children’s ages and conditions. These classes help the children to read and write, develop self-discipline and prepare them to attend regular schools. Caregivers look after the children’s daily living needs. They make sure that the children have a secure home, by helping them to develop a regular routine in their day, including keeping their home area tidy and the surrounding area clean.

PERSONNEL

At the beginning of each month, a meeting of the Childcare Centre (CC) staff is held to plan the objectives for the month. The meeting is also an opportunity to discuss staff satisfaction with their work, issues or problems which may have arisen. A logbook has been initiated to document the happenings of each day – positive and negative issues and potential problems are recorded. This log is used to follow up children’s problems and as a reference for the nurse.

Four teachers and two nannies are responsible for the care of the children: The teachers and caregivers are:

Mr. Eakkalak Phinitpornphapa Teacher Secondary II
Mrs. Duangchit Simtrakul Teacher Bachelor Degree
Mrs. Wanida Sonkvien Teacher Technical School
Mr. Nukul Changtao Teacher Bachelor Degree
Mrs. Meyo Mayao Caregiver
Mrs. Mesar Chaicaula Caretaker & Caregiver
Brother Jimmy Cathechism Teacher

A nurse (Mrs. Suitrak Locaporn) is hired by the Centre to come twice a week and check on the physical and mental health of the children. She also provides advice on the possible problems that may arise from the children’s past or from the effects of the medicine. She is an extremely important member of the Childcare Centre team. Short and long term volunteers have come to the child care centre regularly, one or two, or more days a week, and stayed for a few hours on each visit. The centre also had foreign volunteers who came for a short stay of a few months and helped to teach the children every day. There were also foreign volunteers who stayed for longer terms. The volunteers helped to ensure that the children had their meals and took their medicine. They taught some subjects to the children or accompanied them in the activities held at the centre or in the neighbourhood. They also helped to take the children to local hospitals when they were sick, needed medical attention or when they had their cd₄and viral loads checked.

ACCOMMODATIONS

In January of 2002, the Childcare Centre began the year with 23 children. One child (Sonia) died of AIDS complications during the year. The Childcare Centre accepted eight more children (Jame, Sai, Fern, Nut, Pang, May, Jack & June) during the year. Twenty-five CLWHA are on anti retroviral medicine. Five children are HIV-negative but are affected by HIV/AIDS: they have either lost both parents due to AIDS complications or they are living with parents who have HIV/AIDS. Eleven children live in the main house that is situated near the main gate. Four children live with their parents outside the CSC. Two children live with their parents and two other children are living with their stepmothers within the CSC compound. Eleven children live in a family type setting in apartments within the CSC. They reside with other adults that are living with HIV/AIDS.

The age distribution of the children is as follows:

4-6 years	7-9 years	10-12 years	13-14 years	< 14 years
3	10	10	4	3

EDUCATION

Six of the children attend local schools and twenty-one children are taught at the Childcare Centre. Three of the children are too young to attend school. School subjects are taught from Monday to Saturday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Nursery 1 to Primary 5 levels. Examinations are held at CC every two months during the school year. The school year has been synchronized with the governmental one. Four students (Golf, Bell, Tuak & Tukkata) are upgrading their schooling by attending non-formal education classes in Rayong.

The following classes are taught at CSC:

Nursery	Primary 1	Primary 2	Primary 4	Primary 5
7	1	5	6	2

The daily routine includes raising the flag at eight a.m. or prior to the beginning of classes. Classes are taught until lunchtime at noon. Classes resume at one p.m. and end at four p.m. Time is also allotted to cleaning the main house, the rooms and the grounds. Beds are made every day and the linen is changed weekly. The children join with the other PLWHA for lunch in the canteen. This fosters the feeling of belonging to a family for everyone.

Once a week religion classes are taught by a Camillian brother to all the children to provide moral and ethical values to the children. On Thursday and Saturday there is time set aside for extra-curricular activities such as mechanics, woodworking, needlework, cooking and crafts. All the children are encouraged to participate in some type of activity. One of the children’s activities is to make greeting cards. The cards are then sold and this helps the children to generate and manage their own income. The objective is to prepare the children to live their lives as members of the greater society.

Every month the children put on some type of performance or stage play. Special programmes were planned for Loy Kratong, Son Kran, Mother’s Day which falls on the Queen’s birthday and Father’s Day which falls on the King’s birthday. The children were also proud of the creations that they made when they celebrated Wai Kroo Day (thanks to the teacher). The Christian holidays of Christmas, Easter, All Saints and All Souls Days are celebrated with great solemnity and reverence. On Sundays there is time for relaxation and recreation. During the past year the children visited the local beaches to relax, swim and play in the water. They also visited the Suan Sri-Muang (park) on several occasions to play on the play equipment and to sit beneath the trees. There were outings to the local department stores and other market areas as well.

In order to increase the children’s knowledge and world-view, outings were made to (1) Mini Siam in Pattaya, (2) the Green Mountain Zoo in Chonburi, and (3) the Aquarium at Bang Saeng. The children studied natural sciences at Kirangahan Bay in Chantaburi and the fauna in the surrounding areas of Rayong. Attending a camping outing at the CSC Chantaburi fostered group relationships. Performances were given for visitors and for the old people’s home at the CSC Chantaburi.

HEALTH

The caregivers take care of the children’s health needs by checking on their condition daily. They also clean any open wounds and bandage them and ensure that they take their medicine regularly. The children have a good understanding of their medicine and comply with the regime of taking the medicine at the same time daily. The anti retroviral medicine that the children take costs approximately 4,000 baht per child per month. The children are taught the basics of hygiene, the value of exercise and nutrition and the importance of their medicine. The carers also ensure that the children get to the doctor when they are ill or to the hospital for their blood tests. Blood tests and medical examinations are done at the Rayong hospital. The children’s CD₄levels are checked every 3 months and the viral load tests are done every six months at the Thai Red Cross facility in Bangkok. A dentist at Map Tha Phut Hospital checks the children’s teeth every six months.

During the past year, three children (Opo, Min and Jack) were brought to the Sririraj Hospital in Bangkok for their general check ups and treatment. The youngest child (Nut) was brought to Ban Chang Hospital for a physical check-up. All the children’s vaccinations were done and are up-to-date.

STAFF

Each child is an individual with a different personality, behaviour patterns, fears and good/bad habits. When children live together, problems sometimes arise. When problems do occur, the children report them to the teachers and it is up to the teachers to resolve the problems. The teachers encourage the children to get along with each other. They also monitor the children’s behaviour closely and concentrate on keeping the children happy.

The staff has a good relationship with the Province of Rayong social workers who are responsible for the welfare of the children at CSC. The Map Ta Phut district office registered all the children and provided them with the gold health card so that they come under the 30 baht scheme. The Map Ta Phut hospital co-operated in matters relating to the children’s health and well-being. The teachers met with the non-formal education authorities to get certificates for the children that completed Primary 6.

CONCLUSION

Life is like a cocktail with a mixture of good times, times of joy and times of sadness but we tend to dwell on the happy moments. The children bring life to what could be a dreary existence for many. Their laughter is infectious and their exuberance raises the spirits of the patients. The schooling, educational and social activities provided by the staff members of the CSC Childcare Centre will enable the orphans who are living with HIV/AIDS and children affected by HIV/AIDS to live as other healthy children. They will grow up to be capable adults able to live within a community and become an asset to society. The children that live at the Camillian Social Center in Rayong provide us with much joy and laughter.

Appendices:

A. Financial Report

B. Children’s ARV Drugs Requirements & Costs

C. List of Children Living at CSC

Appendix A

Financial Report

1. Childcare

1. Food = 677,000 Baht

1.1 Supplementary meals, milk = 184,000
1.2 Bedding and clothes DONATED = 0

2. Education

2.1 Clothes, student uniforms = 132,000

2.2 Stationery, school materials = 66,500

3. Caring

3.1 Basic medicine = 50,400
3.2 Transportation to and from hospital = 57,600
3.3 Blood tests & Anti-retroviral medicines =1,696,692

4. Outings and excursions = 192,000

5. Staff training = 42,000

6. Salaries

- One part time nurse = 65,000

- Two teachers (University graduates) = 316,000

- Two teachers (undergraduates) = 244,000

- One baby sitter = 84,500

- One housekeeper = 84,500

7. Electricity, water, gas and telephone = 108,000

Total = 4,000,192 baht (95,243 US$)

Sources of Income

THAI GOVERNMENT MISSIONE CATTOLICA ITALIANA KLOTEN

MISSIO AUSTRIA Mr. ARMANDO KRANZLIN

RAYONG LADIES CLUB FORTIS BANK – BELGIUM

UNSERE KINDER – GERMANY SANUK FOUNDATION–HOLLAND

CAMILLIAN MISSIONS–ESSEN, GERMANY LILA PRO POSITIV - BOLZANO

FOUNDATION FOR HEALTH – ITALY (PROSA)

AMICI DEL TERZO MONDO – CORREZANNA (MI) ITALY

MANY PRIVATE BENEFACTORS THAT WISH TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS

On 1 August 2002 1 US$ = 42 Thai baht

Appendix B

ACTUAL REQUIREMENTS & COSTS

Name of ARV	Usage – Mth.	Cost per unit	Total Cost	Manufacturer
AZT 100 mg	1740 capsules	6 baht	10, 440 baht	GPO
AZT 250 mg	-	-	-	-
AZT Syrup 10ml	-	-	-	-
Ddl powder 30mg	-	-	-	-
Ddl powder 60mg	-	-	-	-
Ddl powder 115mg	60 sachets	20 baht	1, 200 baht	GPO
Ddl powder 170mg	-	-	-	-
D4t 15 mg	60 capsules	2.50 baht	150 baht	GPO
D4t 20 mg	180 capsules	3.0 baht	540 baht	GPO
D4t 30 mg	-	-	-	-
D4t 40 mg	-	-	-	-
3TC 150 mg	960 tablets	10 baht	9, 600 baht	GPO
3TC Syrup (10ml)	600 ml	1.0 baht/ml	600 baht	GPO
Abacavir	-	-	-	-
Nevirapine 200mg	300 tablets	15 baht / tab.	4500 baht	GPO
Nevirapine Syrup	240 ml x 3 Btls	2,029 baht / btl.	6, 087 baht	ROXANNE
Saquinavir - Fortovase	-	-	-	-
Saquinavir (Invirase)	-	-	-	-
Indinavir 200mg	-	-	-	-
Indinavir 400mg	-	-	-	-
Ritonavir Syrup (ml)	-	-	-	-
Ritonavir 100mg	180 capsules	43.56 baht / cap.	7, 840 baht	ABBOT
Nelfinavir 250mg	1,200 tablets	58.35 baht / tab.	70, 020 baht	ROCHE
Efavirenz 50 mg	540 capsules	6.06 baht / cap.	3, 272 baht	MERCK
Efavirenz 200mg	585 capsules	23.81 baht / cap.	7, 857 baht	MERCK
GPOVIR	60 capsules	20 baht / cap.	1200 baht	GPO

TOTAL per month			122, 706 baht

One child is not included in the totals above and takes the following drugs:

Name of ARV	Usage – Mth.	Cost per unit	Total Cost	Manufacturer
AZT 100 mg	120 capsules	6 baht	720 baht	GPO
3TC 150 mg	60 tablets	10 baht	600 baht	GPO
Nelfinavir 250mg	300 capsules	58.35 baht / tab.	17, 365 baht	ROCHE
TOTAL per month			18, 685 baht

GRAND TOTAL

PER MONTH

141, 391 BAHT

US $ 3366.45

ARV = Anti RetroViral drugs 42 Baht = US $1.00

Appendix C

List of Children living at the Camillian Social Centre (CSC)

Nungruthai Ammarit (Nung) was born on the 1^st of July 1993. She has been at the CSC since March 2000. She came from Chantaburi Province with her HIV positive mother. Nung has been HIV positive since she was born. Her father has already died and her mother is working at the centre. Nung attends classes at the CSC Childcare Centre.

Watcharapong Mongkholsanguan (Golf 1) was born on the 29^th of September 1989. He came to the CSC in September 1998 from Chantaburi Province and is an orphan. His parents died of AIDS and he has been HIV positive since birth. He attends classes at the CSC Childcare Centre as well as taking non-formal education classes in a local school.

Sukanya Tiangtat (Oo) was born on the 14^th of September 1986 in Lopburi Province. She was diagnosed as HIV positive at the age of nine. She came to the CSC on 29 May 2000. She is in her first year of Accounting at the Rayong Commercial School.

Ben Lukas Barletta (Ben) was born on the 17^th of August 1994 at Merano (Italy). Ben’s father disappeared when he was three months old. Ben and his HIV positive mother came to the CSC in March 1998. She died at the CSC a few months after their arrival. Ben attends classes at the CSC Childcare Centre.

Ranfa Lasii (Je) was born on the 25^th of July 1993 in Buriram Province. He came to the CSC in January 2000 with his father who had AIDS. His mother had already died and later his father also died. Je has a severe heart problem and has been HIV positive since he was born. He attends classes at the CSC Childcare Centre.

Rujira Chaithani (Min) was born on the 6^th of December 1994 in Rayong. She came to the CSC in November 1999. She is an orphan and has been HIV positive since she was born. She attends classes at the CSC Childcare Centre.

Orapan Sangruang (Oon) was born on the 15th of June 1987 in Chanthaburi Province. She came to the CSC in November 1997. Her parents were already dead. She was infected with the virus through breast-feeding and started to show symptoms at the age of eight. She attends non-formal classes in a local school. She will get a primary education certificate from the school after two years of study.

Toei Haruenngen (Toei) was born on the 7^th of February 1990. He is an orphan and two years ago he was referred by the Mercy Centre in the Klongtoey Slum in Bangkok to the CSC. He attends classes at the CSC Childcare Centre as well as taking non-formal education classes in a local school.

Opo Chandara (Opo) was born on the 6^th of December 1993 in Rayong. She came to the CSC in November 1999 and was in a very bad condition. Her condition improved immensley with a good combination of anti-retroviral medicine. She attends classes at the CSC Childcare Centre.

Prassani Bunnak (Chichi) was born on the 26^th of February 1993. Her parents died when she was three years old and she has been HIV positive since birth. She lived at a Buddhist foundation for a few years until they referred her to the CSC in July 1999. Chichi attends classes at the CSC childcare centre.

Nillawan Chanthon (Tukkata) was born on the 16^th of August 1990. After her parents died, she stayed with relatives in Petchaburi Province until they could no longer look after her. She came to CSC in March 1999 in a very weak condition and was commenced on anti-retroviral drugs. She attends classes at the CSC childcare center as well as taking non-formal education classes in a local school.

Tanabodi Mahaamat (Not) was born on the 10^th of December 1996. In February 1998, he came to the CSC with his mother who is a person living with HIV/AIDS. His mother works at the CSC. Not is HIV-negative and is attending a local school.

Chitpawi Simtrakul (Golf 2) was born on the 24^th of March 1993. When her father died in May 2000, she came to the CSC with her mother who is HIV positive. Golf 2 is HIV negative and is studying in a local primary school.

Thanat Akkharathiwat (Ou) was born in Burirum province on the 15^th of February 1991. After his parents died, his uncle took Ou to stay with him in Rayong province. Ou’s uncle was unable to look after him his health started to deteriorate. Ou came to the Center in December 2000. Ou attends classes at the CSC childcare center.

Natthanun Kijtawong (Peter) was born on the 3^rd of October 1997. He lived with his mother who had been HIV positive for many years until she could not take care of him any longer. Peter is HIV-negative but he has Downs syndrome. He came to the CSC on 18 September 2000 after his mother died. Today, Peter has a new mother… his stepmother is very happy to take care of him.

Sureeporn Mahamongkhol (Bell) was born on the 29^th of August 1991 in Rayong province. She came to the CSC with her HIV-positive mother on 14 May 2001. Four months later, her mother died. Bell had an operation to remove tuberculous lymph nodes in her neck. She is attending classes at the CSC childcare center as well as taking non-formal education classes in a local school.

Chakrit Chumkhong (Pom) was born on the 13^th of June 1991. His parents died in 2000 and he stayed with his grandmother. His grandmother has diabetes and a severe heart problem and was unable to take care of him any longer. The Rayong Public Welfare referred him to the CSC on 25 May 2001. He attends classes at the CSC childcare center.

Arnut Bandasak (Bank 2) was born on the 1^st of November 1992. He lived with his grandmother after his father went to prison and his mother died. He studied during the day at the Fountain of Life Center in Pattaya, who referred him to the CSC when his grandmother became sick in May 2001. He attends classes at the CSC childcare center.

Pharadorn Saelee (Tee) was born on the 20^th of August 1994. He lived with his grandmother in Songkhla province after his mother went away to work. A few years later his father died and Tee started to develop symptoms of AIDS. His grandmother was unable to care for him and the parish priest took care of him. He was baptized and was referred to the CSC in August 2001. Tee attends classes at the CSC childcare center.

Amornrat Muangmoo (Ja) was born on the 26^th of November 1995 in Singburi province. She came to the CSC with her mother who is a person living with HIV/AIDS. She is lucky; she is HIV-negative and is in good health. She is attending a local primary school. She lives with her HIV – positive mother at the Camillian Center.

Chayamon A-sungnean (Bear) was born on the 5^th of May 1987. Her father has died. She came to the CSC with her mother who is living with HIV/AIDS. Her mother works at the centre. Bear is HIV-negative and is studying in a local secondary school.

Jack - we don’t know his given name but Jack was born in 1995 with disability to his right side. His parents belonged to a local tribe from around Chiang Rai. They moved to Bangkok to search for work. Jack’s mother didn’t have a check-up or any vaccinations while she was pregnant and Jack was born one month premature. When Jack was one year old he became ill. He was under-nourished, had a fever, diarrhea and a bad cough. The mother took him for treatment at the Sririrath Hospital in Bangkok and left him there. The hospital was unable to contact his parents because the parents had not left a correct address. Jack lived in the hospital for six years. On October 16^th 2002 the Sririrath Hospital referred Jack to CSC. Jack is learning to do many things in spite of his disability and attends classes at the CSC childcare center.

Watcharin Pukdeeburut (Noot) was born on the 21^stof December 1998. She came to the CSC with her HIV infected mother in June of 2002. A few weeks later her mother died of complications of AIDS at the CSC. Noot has been HIV positive since birth and now lives with her stepmother at the Camillian Social Centre.

Piyanoot Intasopee (May) was born on the 20^thof October 1992 and has been HIV positive since birth. After her parents died, an aunt, who is a singer, looked after her until the burden became too great. She came to the CSC on the 27^th of October 2002. She attends classes at the CSC childcare centre.

Bralee Nak (Pang) was born on the 2^nd of November 1999 and has been HIV positive since birth. Her father died of AIDS. Pang came to the CSC with her mother who is living with HIV/AIDS on the 13^th of August 2002.

Hatairat Noysri (Fern) was born on the 19^th of July 1995 in Rayong province. In February 2002, she came to the CSC with her HIV-positive mother, who has since died. Her father is also dead. Fern has been HIV positive since birth. She attends classes at the CSC childcare centre.

Sansai Jareanpron (Sai) was born on the 4^th of August 1995 in Kranjanaburi province. She came to the CSC in July 2002. Her parents were already dead. She has been HIV positive since birth. She attends classes at the CSC childcare centre.

Peeyawat Panporn (Jame) was born on the 27^th of July 1993. His parents died of AIDS. He lived with an uncle in Chantaburi province until he came to CSC in July 2002. Jame attends classes at the CSC childcare centre.

Non Samrarn (Non) was born on the 18^th of September 1989 in Kampangpetch province. She was diagnosed as HIV positive when she was nine years old. She came to the CSC on the 29^th of November 2001. She attends classes at the CSC childcare centre as well as taking non-formal education classes in a local school.

Wuttigron Pongsri (June) was born on the 28^th of January 1996 and has been HIV positive since birth. His parents died when June was four years old. He lived with his grandmother until she could no longer take care of him. He was referred to the CSC in November 2002. June attends classes at the CSC childcare centre.