ACTIVITIES REPORT

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INTRODUCTION

The Ministry of Public Health estimates that 1,200,000 people all across

Thailand

have been infected with HIV since the first AIDS patient was reported in 1984. Among them, 320,000 have died and 880,000 are currently living with HIV/AIDS. Among those infected, 55,000 will develop serious AIDS related complications requiring medical care this year. Approximately the same number will die of AIDS. It is also estimated that 29,000 new infections will occur this year. Half of these are women who will get the virus from their husbands or sex partners. Twenty-five percent will be infected through drug use, 20 percent of the infected will be sex workers and their clients, and five percent will be children.

Thailand

is facing a huge increase in the number of orphans. A UNAIDS report said that in 1995 there were 63,000 children that had lost their parents to AIDS. In 2001 the number of AIDS orphans increased to 289,00 and the latest report predicted that there would be 380,000 AIDS orphans by 2005. This figure may be much higher as some people in

Thailand

are not included in the census but still form part of the HIV/AIDS affected communities. Rayong is a province in the eastern part of the country with the highest number of people with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) therefore it can be assumed that the number of orphaned children will increase.

The Camillian Social Center (CSC) through the Eastern Network of PLWHA provided scholarships to children of its members who have died of AIDS or are affected by HIV/AIDS. All the children attended school and were enrolled in the six-year compulsory education program or in a vocational education program. The scholarships helped them to receive the necessary education to make a living.

The Camillian Social Center (CSC) is a non-profit social organisation dedicated to the caring of PLWHA in their terminal stage and the prevention of HIV infection. It also supports a number of PLWHA and orphans living with HIV/AIDS and the Eastern Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS. These programs are operated on behalf of the St. Camillus Foundation which is a religious congregation dedicated to caring of the sick. The St. Camillus Foundation is a legal entity according to the Thai law. CSC takes a holistic approach to the AIDS pandemic by: (1) providing training sessions on the prevention of HIV/AIDS;

(3) providing accommodation and literacy classes to orphans whose parents died of AIDS and to children of PLWHA and

(4) operating a palliative care unit for PLWHA that are in the terminal stage of life.

We began the year with 39 students (19 male & 20 female) on the scholarship plan. Seven students were added to the scholarship program during the past year. Three students have completed their studies this year and will be dropped from the plan. The CSC supported nineteen male and twenty female students.

Each student was awarded a scholarship of 500 Baht per month for a period of nine months. The CSC does not disburse any funds for the month of April as this is the school holiday period. At the beginning of each semester, in May and October, the CSC gives each student one thousand baht to help cover the cost of school supplies and uniforms. These amounts are sent to the students’ guardians and are sufficient to cover the daily expenses for travel, lunch, stationery, books, and other expenses. This enables the students to continue their studies.

Every month, twenty-six of the students write a letter in their own handwriting telling about their study in the previous month and their living situation. Upon receiving the letter, the personnel from the CSC then send the monthly stipend by post to the students. Five of the students come to the CSC and report on their progress personally.

Eight students live at the Camillian Social Centre. Nineteen of the students live with their sick mothers; one lives with his father; seven live with their grandmothers; nine live with other relatives; seven live with Adjan Kittisak (a Protestant professor) in a home in Chantaburi. Two students live on their own at the CSC and three are studying in higher educational institutes and live on their own in Bangkok .

Home Visits

The Camillian Social Centre in Rayong is the headquarters of the Eastern Network of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). This network is completely managed and controlled by PLWHA with an assembly of all the members as the supreme body and a committee as its executive arm. Committee members are representatives of the local associations of PLWHA from each of the seven eastern provinces. As of today, the network has 28 local associations and a total membership of 1,400 members. The network coordinators and local leaders set up the local associations. The Network staff visit each of the children that live in the eastern area at their homes once a year. This is done so that someone can view the living situation and check on the quality of the education that the students are receiving. The Network also visits the children to monitor how they spend the funds and to find out about their future plans. During the visits, the staff of the Network provides counselling to the children and their relatives. The children that live outside of the eastern area are monitored through the PLWHA associations in those areas.

All the children and staff of the Camillian Social Center in Rayong and the PLWHA Eastern Network extend a big heartfelt thank you to OPAM for the financial support during 2002. Thank You!

1. Nathapon was born on the 3^rd October 1993 in Trat province. His father abandoned the family and his mother died of HIV/AIDS. He attends Primary I at Wat Hungnamkera School where he is maintaining a fair grade. He is being cared for by an Officer of the Health Department that does some counselling for members of the AIDS Network. The funds that are provided to the caregiver by the Network Scholarship Program help to keep Nathapon in school. (Dec 01)

2. Warunee was born on the 5^th of June 1996 in the province of Ubon Rajathani . She is in Nursery 3 at the Luakamban Secondary School in the district of Walinchambran. Her mother and father are both persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) that are general labourers and if hired will perform odd jobs in the village. The Network scholarship funds that the parents receive allow Warunee to continue her education. (Dec 01)

3. Thawatchai was born on the 28^th February 1982 in the province of Ubon Ratchatanee . His father died of complications with HIV/AIDS and he lives with his mother. He is in his final year at a Technical School in Ubon and is getting good grades in a mechanical technician course. The Network scholarship funds that the mother receives help to defray the cost of his schooling. (Jan 01)

4. Wuttichai was born on the 12^th of May 1993 in Amnatchelean province. His father died of AIDS and his mother is a PLWHA living with her second husband. She is a small merchant in Bangkok and the Network scholarship funds help her to keep Wuttichai in school. Wuttichai is getting good grades in Primary 2 at the Prachasatatam School in Bangkok . He especially enjoys playing musical instruments and drawing. (Feb 01)

5. Watcharaporn was born on the 29^th of May 1994 . Her father died of AIDS and her mother is a PLWHA living with her second husband in Bangkok . Watcharaporn lives with her grandparents in Amnatchelean province and attends Primary 2 in Baan Dondeng School . She is maintaining a very good average and the Network scholarship funds that the grandmother receives are allowing her to get an education. (Jan 01)

6. Artid was born on the 18^th of August 1991 in Buriram province. His father died of AIDS complications and his mother is a farmer and a PLWHA. Artid attends Baan Nongchua School in Satuk District of Buriram province. He is in Primary 3 and because his mother is poor, the Network scholarship funds are allowing him to get an education. (Dec 01)

7. Kannikar was born on the 25^th of January 1987 in Nakhon Pathom province. Her father is a PLWHA and a gardener and her mother is also a PLWHA who does odd jobs around the village. Kannikar is in Secondary 2 at the Malee Oppatam School where she is getting fair grades. The Network scholarship funds that the parents receive are allowing her to continue her education. (Feb 01)

8. Prasopchai was born on the 15^th of January 1983 in Nakhon Sawan province. He is presently in his 3^rd year in a mechanical technician course at the Technical College . His father died of AIDS complications and his mother is a PLWHA. The scholarship funds that the mother receives are helping to defray some of the costs of his schooling. (Nov01)

9. Watchareewan was born on the 1^st of October 1985 in Nakhon Sawan province. Her father died of AIDS complications and her mother is a PLWHA. She is getting fair grades in Secondary 3 at Watmungkonsattit School . The Network scholarship funds that the mother receives allow her to continue her schooling. (Dec 01)

10. Chantra was born on the 7^th of May 1994 in Bangkok . She is presently living with her father and attending Primary 2 in Watpatnam School in Bangkok . Her mother died of AIDS complications and her father is a PLWHA. The aid that the father gets from the Network scholarship helps to keep Chantra in school. (Dec 01)

11. Taksin was born on the 3^rd of August 1995 in Chonburi. He is presently attending Primary 1 in Somkitchitwittaya School in Chonburi. His father is handicapped and his parents are separated. Taksin lives with his cousin and the Network scholarship funds that the cousin receives help to keep Taksin in school.(Dec 01)

12. Krengsak was born on the 3^rd of February 1992 in Mukdaharn. His mother and father have both passed away due to AIDS complications. He lives with his grandmother and is presently attending Primary 4 in St Joseph Thala School in Sakhon Nakhon. He is getting fair grades in his subjects. The grandmother is poor and the Network scholarship allows him to continue his schooling. (Nov 01)

13. Wanida was born on the 14^th of October 1993 in Mukdaharn. She is Krengsak’s sister and her mother and father have both passed away due to AIDS complications. She also lives with the grandmother and is presently attending Primary 2 in St Joseph Thala School in Sakhon Nakhon. The grandmother is poor and the Network scholarship funds allow her to continue her schooling.(Dec 01)

14. Sririruk was born on the 25th of August 1997 in Chantaburi. She is presently attending Nursery 2 in Ratwittaya School in Chantaburi. Her father passed away from AIDS complications. Her mother is a PLWHA that works at any odd job that she can find so the Network scholarship funds allow Sririruk to continue her schooling. (Dec 01)

15. Namfom was born on the 19^th of April 1998 in Udon Thani province. Her mother is a PLWHA that received care at CSC and was rehabilitated to her province. The girl’s father left the family home. Namfom is attending Nursery 2 in Udon Thani. The mother can only do menial jobs because of her condition so she manages to send her daughter to school with the help of the funds from the Network scholarship. (May 01)

16. Kalaya was born on the 1^st of March 1983 in the province of RoiEt . Her father and mother have died of complications with HIV/AIDS. She lives with her uncle and is getting fair grades in Secondary 6. The scholarship money that the uncle gets helps to keep Kalaya in school. (Feb 01)

17. Warunyou was born on the 30^th of October 1987 in Saek Kaew province. His father is a PLWHA and is separated from his mother. Waranyu lives with his mother and is attending Secondary 2 in Tuenhindon School in Saek Kaew where he is getting fair grades. His mother manages to keep Waranyu in school with the help of the funds from the Network scholarship.(Dec 01)

18. Chairut was born on the 3^rd of December 1994 in Chonburi province. His mother and father separated prior to Chairut’s birth. He lives with his grandmother and is presently attending Primary 1 in Bankai School in Rayong and he is getting excellent grades. His mother died of AIDS complications while being cared for at CSC. The grandmother is poor and the Network scholarship funds allow him to continue his schooling. (June 01)

19. Kamolnat was born on the 19^th of October 1992 in Rayong province. Her father and mother died of AIDS complications. She lives with her aunt and is attending Primary 4 in Watkorktkinmithapap 42 School where she is getting good grades. The aid that the aunt gets from the Network scholarship funds help to keep Kamolnat in school. (Mar 01)

20. Orathai was born on the 5^th of February 1989 in Rayong province. Her father died of AIDS complications and so did her mother while being cared for at CSC. She lives with her aunt and is attending Secondary 1 in Watgofyaicha School in Rayong and is getting good grades. The aid that the aunt gets from the Network scholarship funds help to keep Orathai in school. (Mar 01)

21. Anuwat was born on the 4^th of April 1995 in Rayong province. His father and mother are dead of AIDS complications. He lives with his grandmother and attends Primary 2 in Wathuaypong School in Rayong and is getting fair grades. The grandmother is poor and the Network scholarship funds allow him to continue his schooling. (Oct 01)

22. Rutikarn was born on the 12^th of March 1992 in Chantaburi province. Her father died of AIDS complications and her mother is a PLWHA. Rutikarn is living in an orphanage in Chantaburi and is attending Taisaban Muang Chantaburi School . She is in Primary 3 and is getting good grades. The Network scholarship funds that the head of the orphanage receives helps to defray the cost of her schooling. (Nov 01)

23. Panlop was born on the 22^nd of December 1993 in Chantaburi province. His father died of AIDS complications and his mother is a PLWHA. Panlop is living in an orphanage in Chantaburi and is attending Taisaban Muang Chantaburi School . He is in Primary 2 and is getting good grades. The Network scholarship funds that the head of the orphanage receives helps to defray the cost of his schooling. (Nov 01)

24. Phitsanu was born on the 19^th of January 1993 in Chantaburi province. His father and mother have died of AIDS complications. Pitsanook is living in an orphanage in Chantaburi and is attending Primary 2 in Wat Jantanaram School where he is getting good grades. The Network scholarship funds that the head of the orphanage receives helps to defray the cost of his schooling. (Nov 01)

25. Ratchadawan was born on the 25^th of December 1988 in Chantaburi province. Her father has left the family home and her mother is a PLWHA. Ratchadawan is living in an orphanage in Chantaburi and is attending Taisaban Muang Chantaburi School . She is in Primary 7 is getting fair grades. The Network scholarship funds that the head of the orphanage receives help to defray the cost of her schooling. (Nov 01)

26. Rungarun was born on the 11^th of November 1991 in Chantaburi province. Her Father died of AIDS complication and her mother left the family home. Rungarun is living in an orphanage in Chantaburi and is attending Taisaban Muang Chantaburi School . She is in Primary 3 and is getting very good grades. The Network scholarship funds that the head of the orphanage receives help to defray the cost of her schooling. (Nov 01)

27. Napaporn was born on the 7^th of December 1993 in Chantaburi province. Napaporn is living with her sister Rungarun in an orphanage in Chantaburi and is attending Taisaban Muang Chantaburi School . She is in Primary 2 and is getting poor grades. The Network scholarship funds that the head of the orphanage receives help to defray the cost of her schooling. (Nov 01)

28. Chanarong was born on the 29^th of April 1991 in Chantaburi province. His father and mother have died because of AIDS complications. Chanarong is living in an orphanage in Chantaburi and is attending Taisaban Muang Chantaburi School. He is in Primary 5 and is getting fair grades. The Network scholarship funds that the head of the orphanage receives help to defray the cost of his schooling. (Nov 01)

29. Pongsak was born on the 26^th of September 1987 in Buri Ram province. His father and mother have died because of AIDS complications. He now lives with an aunt and attends Secondary 2 in Singwitthayakhom School in Buri Ram where he is getting poor grades. The Network scholarship funds that the aunt receives help to defray the cost of his schooling. (Nov 01)

30. Rachasaek was born on the 3^rd of August 1993 in Buri Ram Province and is Pongsak’s brother. He now lives with an aunt and attends Primary 3 in Watnongprong School in Buri Ram where he is getting fair grades. The Network scholarship funds that the aunt receives help to defray the cost of his schooling. (Nov 01)

31. Kung was born sometime around 1985 in the province of Nan. Her mother has died of complications with HIV/AIDS. Kung lives with her grandmother and is getting good grades in Secondary 3. The Network scholarship funds that the grandmother receives help to defray the cost of her schooling. (Dec 01)

32. Choosak was born on the 2^nd of February 1987 in Chiang Rai province. His father has died of Aids complications and his mother is a PLWHA working at the Camillian Social Centre in Rayong. Choosak is attending Secondary 1 in Rayongwitthayakhom Schol in Rayong and is getting fair grades. The Network scholarship funds that the mother receives help to defray the cost of his schooling. (Mar 01)

33. Choochai was born on the 1^st of March 1985 in Chiang Rai province. His father has died of Aids complications and his mother is a PLWHA working at the Camillian Social Centre in Rayong. Choochai is attending Don Bosco Technical School in Bangkok and is getting good grades in a mechanical technician course. The Network scholarship funds that the mother receives help to defray the cost of his schooling. (Mar 01)

34. Natkamon was born on the 1^st of January 1983 in Chiang Rai province. Her father has died of Aids complications and her mother is a PLWHA working at the Camillian Social Centre in Rayong. Natkamool is attending nursing school at St. Louis College in Bangkok and is getting good grades. The Network scholarship funds that the mother receives help to defray the cost of her schooling. (Mar 01)

35. Chitpawee was born on the 24^th of March 1992 in Chantaburi province. Her father has died of AIDS complications and her mother is working as a teacher in the Camillian Social Centre in Rayong. Chitpawee is attending Primary 5 in Wuttinan School in Rayong and is getting good grades. The Network scholarship funds that her mother receives help to defray the cost of her schooling. (May 00)

36. Tanadbadee was born on the 10^th of December 1996 in Mahasarakhan province. His father is a PLWHA presently serving a prison term and his mother is working in the Camillian Social Centre in Rayong. Tanadbadee is attending Nursery 3 in Wuttinan School in Rayong. The Network scholarship funds that his mother receives help to defray the cost of his schooling. (Feb 98)

37. Orapan was born on the 15^th of June 1987 in Chantaburi province. Her father and mother have died because of AIDS complications. She lived with her brother until she was 10 years old and has lived at the Camillian Social Centre in Rayong since then. Orapan has been HIV positive since birth. She is now in Secondary 1 in Ban Chang Wittaykhom School in Rayong province. The Network scholarship funds that she receives help to defray the cost of her schooling. (Nov 96)

38. Sukanja was born on the 15^th of September 1986 in Lopburi province. Her father and mother separated and the grandmother took care of her until she became too much of a burden. Sukanja suffered sexual abuse by a neighbour and when she was 9 years old it was discovered to be HIV positive. She came to the Camillian Social Centre in Rayong in May 2000. She is in her first year of Accounting at the Rayong Commercial School and is getting good grades. The Network scholarship funds that she receives helps to defray the cost of her schooling. (May 00)

39. Natthanun (Peter) was born on the 3^rd of October 1997 in the province of Chonburi. His mother has died of complications with HIV/AIDS. Peter is non-HIV positive but he is a down-syndrome child. He lived with his grandmother until she could not take care of him any longer. He came to the CSC on 18 September 2000 and has a stepmother. The scholarship money that his stepmother gets helps to take care of him. (Sep 00)

40. Nathapon was born on the 20^th of December 2000 in Rayong province. He lives with his mother and father in the district of Ban Chang; his father is a PLWHA. The father is still capable of working but his salary is very low. The money that the mother receives from the scholarship fund helps to take care of Nathapon. (Dec 2001)

41. Chayamon was born on the 5^th of May 1987 in Chonburi province. Her father has died of AIDS complications and her mother is a PLWHA working in the Camillian Social Centre in Rayong. Chayamon is attending Secondary 2 in Ban Chang Wittaykhom School in Rayong province. The Network scholarship funds that her mother receives allow her to continue her schooling. (Jan 02)

42. Fronk was born on the 15^th of July 1998 in Rayong province. His father died of AIDS complications and his mother died while being cared for at CSC. Fronk is living with an aunt and is attending Nursery 2 in Choenchoenchonnongsi School in Bangkok. The Network scholarship funds allow him to continue his schooling. (Jan 02)

43. Jantana was born on the 2^nd of June 1995 in Chantaburi province. Her mother died of AIDS complications while being cared for at the Camillian Social Centre. Jantana lives with her grandmother and is attending Primary 1 in Amnuaysuksa School in Chantaburi. The Network scholarship funds that the grandmother receives help to defray the cost of her schooling. (Feb 02)

44. Amorntip was born on the 26^th of November 1995 in Singburi province. Her father is a PLWHA that left the family home and her mother is a PLWHA working at the Camillian Social Centre in Rayong. Amorntip is attending Nursery 3 in Wuttinan School in Rayong. The Network scholarship funds that her mother receives help to defray the cost of her schooling. (June 02)

45. Tanyamai was born on the 31^st of August 1995 in Rayong province. Her father and mother died of AIDS complications. She now lives with a cousin and attends Primary 1 at Taisaban Mabthaput School. The aid that the cousin gets from the Network scholarship funds helps to keep Tanyamai in school. (Dec 02)

46. Payungkiet was born on the 17^th of November 1994 in Rayong province. His father died of AIDS complications and his mother is a PLWHA at the Camillian Social Center. Payungkiat is non-HIV positive and lives with an aunt while attending Primary 2 at Wat Taguun School in Rayong. The aid that the aunt gets from the Network scholarship funds help to keep Payungkiat in school. (Jan 03)

47. Vanraya was born on the 14^th of September 2000 in the province of Rayong. She lives with her mother who is a PLWHA at the Garden of Eden in the district of Ban Khai. Vanraya is non-HIV positive and the money that the mother receives from the scholarship fund helps to take care of Vanraya. (Jan 2003)

48. Pharisa was born on the 9^th of April 2002 in the province of Rayong. Her father and mother separated before the child was born. Pharisa lives with her mother who is a PLWHA at the Garden of Eden in Ban Khai. Parisa is non-HIV positive and the money that the mother receives from the scholarship fund helps to take care of her. (Jan 2003)