In The Know With CAM...

Peer Group Training

2011-07-24T20:17:00.000-07:00

The training included information on how Anti Retro Viral (ARV) medications affect the body and how they interrupt the replication process. The information was very technical, but the CAM staff were able to explain the process in simple terms so that everybody had a better understanding.

CAM staff decided to also provide training and insight to the HIV positive group that they care for in a very practical way. The training was on how to read and interpret the blood work that the group receives when they go to the doctor for testing. There is a lot of technical information that doesn't quite get explained to these people by their doctors.

Everybody was encouraged to ask questions and the CAM staff created a fun and relaxed learning environment.

13th annual HIV/AIDS conference in Bangkok

2011-04-24T21:35:00.000-07:00

The CAM staff and several community church leaders around Chiang Mai participated in the 13th annual HIV/AIDS conference held at the Impact Arena in Bangkok. There was 17 people in all traveling from Chiang Mai to Bangkok. The conference was an informative 3 day event with a huge selection of widely varied workshops. The workshops ranged from how to talk to your kids about sex to transgender to human rights issues.

The conference had a grand exhibition hall that had information booths from many NGO and faith based organizations. Skits, dramas and panel discussions were held in the exhibition hall as well.

During one of the workshops Ajarn Sanan the Director of CAM was able to share information about the HIV/AIDS situation in Northern Thailand and what CAM is doing to help bring about greater awareness and ways to address the issues HIV + people face.

Ajarn Sanan on stage being honored alongside other prominent community members throughout Thailand by the Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Prime Minister Abhisit was able to get a tour of the Exhibition hall and visit with several NGO's that are committed to working with people living with HIV and AIDS.
Every night the CAM staff processed the days event and were able to learn new things from each other. Overall, it was a great experience.

"My Story"

2011-03-02T20:08:00.000-08:00

For the last 2 years CAM has been working with an amazing group of young people by helping them tell their story. These 18 kids ranging in age from 8-17 years old were trained and equipped with cameras to help document their lives and how HIV/AIDS affects them. All the kids are in some way affected by HIV/AIDS either through infection or they are caretakers of family members that are HIV infected. In reality, they have no sense of a normal childhood. They are voiceless and have been put on the margins of society due to no fault of their own. CAM wanted to be a catalyst to help these young impressionable kids process what is happening in their lives and to help them by creating a peer support group. The kids were brought together every 4-6 weeks for fellowship with kids in their own situation and it was a time to share and reflect on what is going on in their lives. During these times together the kids would edit their photos and were working on their scrapbook.

The staff at CAM became more than just people doing their job, they became like family to these young lives. They became the parents of the kids that have lost theirs due to HIV/AIDS. I have been amazed at the resiliency of some of these kids as I hear their tragic stories. Yet, despite their circumstances they are open and upbeat and have a zest for life.

The kids finally got to put together a photo exhibition of their lives and share it with the community. This was also a great chance for them to say how much the people in their lives meant to them. The turn out to see the Photo Exhibition was great and was very well received.

One by one each kid had the opportunity to show his/her exhibition board and explain what the photos represented and how the people in them were important in their lives. In between groups of 4-5 kids showing their photos was a video presentation of their work with music in the background.

I was very impressed with all the time and effort the kids put in on presenting their lives and felt I was watching lives transformed before my very eyes.

Burmese refugees' Christmas story - Eureka Street

2010-12-14T00:54:00.000-08:00

Burmese refugees' Christmas story - Eureka Street
A great story about the daily struggles of HIV-positive Burmese immigrants living in Thailand that highlights the striking contrasts throughout modern Thailand. An important article to read as we head into Christmas and think about all the blessings we have.

ARV Supply Concerns Along Thai/Burma Border

2010-12-13T00:03:00.000-08:00

ReliefWeb recently published an article examining the high demand but low supply of antiretroviral drugs among migrants living along the Thai/Burma border and the dangers of a disruption in the daily drug regimen for those taking the drugs for their tuberculosis and/or HIV/AIDS.

In addition, the article examines how most migrants have limited access to drugs to begin with - particularly those without Thai ID - and how starting this month there will be even more limited access for anyone newly infected.

Drug resistance is a growing threat in this population, according to ReliefNet, and is a situation that is "here to stay - at least for now."

60,000 Thai Civil Servants With HIV/AIDS

2010-12-06T18:10:00.000-08:00

Last week Dr. Somyot Kittimunkong, director of the AIDS division at Thailand's Disease Control Department, said that about 60,000 of the country's civil servants have HIV and that about 20,000 seek reimbursement for antiretroviral drugs each year, Asia One reports.

There are about 520,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Thailand. In 2010, there has been about 10,853 new infections among adults and children, according to Asia One.

About 250,000 people have used the National Health Security Office's free HIV blood testing services and about 7% have been found to be HIV positive.

In other news, Dr. Samlee Plianbangchang, the World Health Organization Regional Director for Southeast Asia, recently said that HIV/AIDS infection rates among children increased by 46% between 2001 and 2009, the Malaysian news agency Bernama reports.

World AIDS Day 2010

2010-12-01T22:35:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, the CAM staff marked World AIDS Day with a flood of activity. Half the staff caravanned around the streets of Chiang Mai with a a coalition of other AIDS organizations visiting schools and discussing safe sex, asking kids to write their prayers and hopes to combating AIDS on pieces of paper that were placed on a tree. The day culminated with an exciting 4-hour closing ceremony at a large public plaza in the heart of Chiang Mai.

Meanwhile closer to Bangkok, members of the CAM team conducted HIV/AIDS prevention and sexuality trainings at schools that have never before been exposed to such information. The Bangkok team will be traveling down to Church of Christ in Thailand headquarters to conduct a worship service on Friday morning focused on HIV/AIDS in the region. Because the Bangkok team has yet to return, we do not have pictures to post for them quite yet. Here are pictures from the Chiang Mai celebration.

HIV Patients Facing Discrimination in Asia

2010-11-29T19:22:00.000-08:00

Voice of America on Tuesday posted a fascinating article and video (see below) on the continuing discrimination HIV patients face throughout Asia, including in Thailand. The article notes how a person's job, place in the family and even legal status can be affected by positive diagnosis.

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Great Read/Listen

2010-11-28T19:10:00.001-08:00

Australian Broadcasting Corporation's "Connect Asia" Radio program on Monday featured a story on the work of Mercy Centre, a clinic and orphanage helping children with HIV living in Bangkok's slum community of Klong Toey.

The piece is both powerful and important as we approach World AIDS Day on Wednesday. To hear it or read a transcript, please go to http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/connectasia/stories/201011/s3079191.htm

Great New Developments in Battle Against HIV/AIDS

2010-11-28T18:04:00.000-08:00

Last week was a turning point in the worldwide battle against HIV/AIDS. In a battle where positive developments are often hard to come by, three separate news stories shined a ray of hope in an otherwise very dismal struggle.

1.) In many ways, the most important development to come out last week was the release of a study that found that the antiretroviral treatment Truvada taken as a pre-exposure prophylaxis among sex who have sex with men can reduce the risk of HIV transmission by 44%. In addition, the study found that among those that stuck most rigidly to the daily drug regimen, there was a 73% lower risk of infection (Voice of America, 11/23)

2.) The United Nations' AIDS agency also released a report last week finding that there has been a 20% decrease in the new HIV infections over the last decade. According to the agency, there are 33.3 million people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide with 7,000 new infections each day (AP/TMCnet World News, 11/28).

3.) The Pope announced that it is a lesser evil to use a condom than to infect a partner with HIV, a major development in the Catholic Churches position on the use of condoms (Bangkok Post, 11/21).

Aung San Suu Kyi Addresses HIV/AIDS Patients in Burma

2010-11-18T19:51:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday, newly freed pro-democracy Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi spoke to more than 70 patients at a "safe house" for people living with HIV/AIDS in Rangoon, the Irrawaddy reports. The house is one of three operated by young members of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy in South and North Dagon Townships where patients are provided with free food and medicine.

Last Saturday, Suu Kyi was released after seven years of house arrest.

In her remarks to a crowd of nearly 500, Suu Kyi told those with HIV/AIDS to keep a "strong spirit" and called for increased financial support to combat the virus, Democratic Voice of Burma reports.

Mizzima reports that more than 360,000 residents of Burma are living with HIV/AIDS. According to UN Aids statistics, the junta’s Health Ministry spends about US$100,000 annually on its Aids eradication campaign.

"What we can do now is try to get as much medicine as we can for the patients here,"Suu Kyi stressed, adding, "We need a lot of money to get antiretroviral drugs... We need money for food. We need money for more housing."

"People have value as human beings whatever happens, or whatever disease happens to you," Suu Kyi said. “Everybody has their own values so you don’t need to be discouraged. You must uplift your spirits and strength. I say these words not only to the patients but also to everybody … high and low status depends only on each person. Everybody needs to know that they can consider themselves a dignified person.”

Safe-Sex in Thailand

2010-11-14T18:10:00.000-08:00

Last week, IRIN Asia PlusNews reported that only 2% of Thailand's AIDS budget goes toward condoms, thus "stack[ing] the odds" against the country's attempts to promote safe-sex and curb the prevalence of HIV, which is currently more than 1% - one of the highest rates in the region.

There are currently 481,770 people living with HIV in Thailand, with 10,000 new infections each year, according to the UN's 2010 report from the General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS.

Although the most-at-risk groups continue to be injection drug users and men who have sex with men, Thailand's Epidemic Model projects that more than one-third of new HIV infections in 2010 will occur in long-term relationships and 7 percent from risky sex.

Despite these figures, Thailand's condom marketing and distribution budget of US$775,000 has continued to focus on the commercial sex industry.

Michael Hahn, UNAIDS country coordinator for Thailand, told IRIN that the Thai goverment "thinks there are enough condoms easily available and affordable in the market, and they don't see the need for providing them," an assumption that is "now under review as the country plans its national strategy for 2012 to 2016."

"Instead of equating condoms with sex work and sexually transmitted infections, we need to change the image - that they're for safety and for love," according to Praween Payapvipapong, an adviser to the Bangkok NGO Population and Community Development Association, noting that a shift in attitude is needed in addition to an increase in condom distribution funds.

According to the Department of Disease Control , 60% of sexually active teenagers do not regularly using condoms, 50% of MSM and 40% of sex workers.

New Blog Feature!

2010-11-14T17:58:00.000-08:00

Hello readers!

In an effort to keep you more "In the Know with CAM," it is important to also be "in the know" on issues related to HIV/AIDS in Southeast Asia. So starting today the CAM blog will be occassionally highlighting news articles on the topic.

Hope you enjoy it!

New Face at CAM

2010-11-08T18:46:00.000-08:00

Hello CAM followers,

I'm Julia Moss, an American Jewish World Service (AJWS) volunteer from Washington, DC who will be working for CAM through the end of January. I'm very excited about this latest adventure and to be part of the amazing CAM team. Everyone is so welcoming and dedicated and I'm hoping to be as much of an asset to the organization as I can.

It's been an interesting transition from my bustling life in Washington, DC working in the world of progressive Jewish social action to the more zen world of Chiang Mai working in the world of Christian health and holistic care services.

While I'm originally from Los Angeles, I've been living inDC for 6 years - first as a college student and now as a working professional. I decided to come to Thailand with AJWS after spending more than two years as a health care policy reporter and wanting some global perspective on the effects of health care policy and the world of grassroots service. Back in DC I now work for the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, where I help them in their mission to ensure the rights of all those effected by US policy. They have been gracious enough to give me three months to come here to Chiang Mai and work with CAM in their mission to ensure the well being of all those effected by HIV/AIDS in the region. I feel blessed to be here and working for such a noble and important cause.

I look forward to keeping you "in the know."

- Julia Moss, 24

"My Story" by Paul

2010-09-26T20:23:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. I feel very excited and happy to have the opportunity to share my story with you today. My name is Paul. I am 16 years old, and in 9th grade level of education at a government school. I want to tell you a little about my life and the help I have received from the CAM staff.
When I was a baby I lived together with my mother and father, but when I was just 2 years old my father became very unwell, and died. My mother and I were very sad, and we moved to live with my grandparents.
Just before my father died, he had begun to be sick often, and needed to stay in hospital. We knew then that he was HIV positive. My mother decided to have herself and me tested for the virus too, and we were both positive too. I was still very young, so my mother chose not to explain what this result meant, although from an early age I knew that I had something called HIV inside me because I had to visit the doctor at the hospital very often, and take special medicine since I was 4 years old. I heard the nurses and doctors at the hospital talk about HIV, and use my name at the same time. I understood that I too was HIV positive, just like my father, but my mother thought I was too young to understand. She told me when I was about 10 years old, although I had known for several years before this.
When I was 8 years old my mother also began to become sick, and I and my grandparents tried to help look after her. I did not go to school at the time when she was unwell because I helped look after her and there was no one to send me to school. Our home was very near the home of one of the staff members of CCT AIDS Ministry(CAM), and Phii Oom started to visit my mother when she was ill. She helped us all as a family, by encouraging us, helping my mother access medicines to help her, and just being our friend at a time when we needed love and support. After my mother started taking medicines too, her health started to improve, and she was able to look after herself again, I returned to school, and we live happily together as a family.
Through CAM I have had many opportunities to take part in activities that help me understand how to live with HIV better, and how to have a good quality of life. We also have many times, through CAM, to have special times together as a family, alongside other families who also are living with HIV. Last year, I joined in a special programme, with 20 other young people to learn ways to tell our story, through the written word, verbally and through a photographic album of our lives via scrapbooking. I feel this helps me to express myself better, and understand my feelings better, as well as help keep my good relationship with my mother. In the future I would like to stay healthy and strong, able to complete my studies, and be able to work well when I finish at school. I ask you here to pray for me and my family, pray that we will continue to live together well, and lead healthy lives.
To the CAM staff I want to say thank you for your help and support for both me, and for my mother, and especially thank you for providing me with the opportunity to travel out of Thailand for the first time ever, and to share my story here at this special meeting.

2010-09-19T21:31:00.000-07:00

“My Story” by Jenny

“We cannot choose the circumstances of our birth but we can choose how we live out our lives”

My name is Jenny. I am 18 years old. My father died when I was a young girl, and my mother remarried and I and my little sister lived with my grandmother. We were both HIV positive as a result of my mother’s infection.

I got to know the staff of CAM since I was 5 years old, because they visited my neighbours, and then our family. My neighbor introduced us to CAM because they knew that my 3 year old sister was unwell, and then CAM realized my grandmother was caring for 2 small children who were HIV positive. My sister died when she was just 5 years old and I was 7 years old. CAM has continued to help us and visit us almost every month for over 10 years, and have helped us with many things, such as school costs ( such as fees, uniforms, food and books) and have always been a source of encouragement and advice for my grandmother and I. CAM staff are like family to me- Khun Nawanat and Khun Jaruwan have been like a mother for me throughout my life.They have helped put me in touch with hospitals and social services that are available to help people living with HIV/AIDS. Through this I have been able to attend camps and training sessions with other young people living with HIV, like me. I have a very good doctor, Dr Suparat, at the hospital who shows care and empathy for all of us- she is a very special lady.

I have now finished my school studies and will be going to university this year. I would first like to study to be a nurse. I want to be able to help and care for other people, especially my family members and my friends who are also HIV positive. I want to help them to be strong and healthy despite being HIV positive. If I am unable to be a nurse, I would like to be a senior school teacher so that I can help teach young people to be good citizens.

I would like to thank Dr Erlinda and the CCA AIDS Programme for sponsoring me and giving me the opportunity to share my story with you all. May God Bless you.
Thank you.

Channels of Hope HIV/AIDS workshop

2010-08-22T21:08:00.000-07:00

Channels of Hope HIV/AIDS workshop was lead by World Vision along with the help of CAM. The workshop was a 3 day event with extensive material to cover. We started the proceedings with an opening ceremony of lighting a candle and reading scriptures that described being the salt and light of the earth. There were participants from several groups throughout Thailand. The workshop was held at the Dynasty Hotel in Bangkok.

We initially started out with drawing a picture of how we saw HIV/AIDS in our community and then we had to describe our picture and explain why we drew what we drew. This way we got to see different perspectives of how each other views HIV/AIDS in their own community. We all have different views, but we can all work together to achieve our goals.

We all participated in very interesting and thought provoking activities. Such as this activity in which we simulated the human body and how our immune system works and how foreign invaders like the common cold, TB, infections and HIV enters our bodies. Some of the participants had to direct the actors to play out the scene of HIV entering the body. This was a great way for the participants to really understand how our body defends itself and where are weaknesses make us vulnerable to infections.

We learned how HIV can be spread with this activity. We all had test tubes with clear liquid so everybody looked the same. We were instructed to pipet some liquid from our tube and put it in your partners tube and then we switched to different partners 3 different times. Once we all had the chance to exchange fluids with 4 different people, 2 people were called to the front to have their tubes tested for HIV. The instructor put a drop of chemical in the tubes and if the liquid started to turn pink that meant you were infected with HIV. Initially, only one person had the infection in their tube. The two volunteers to be tested first were then asked to point out the people that they exchanged fluids with and they were brought up front for testing. This was done again and again until we had everybody tested and from one infection it was spread to 15 out of the 32 participants.

This activity was designed to challenge us to think how we view activities that range from Healthy to Unhealthy and from Lawful to Unlawful. For instance we had to put people holding the placards in order from Healthy to Unhealthy. Ranging from masturbation within marriage to adultery and prostitution. We had to explain why we placed the people in their hierarchy and why. It was a great way of challenging viewpoints and learning from one another. Sometimes it takes a different perspective than your own to enhance the learning process.

One of the highlights of the activities was the condom on the cucumber. Everybody got a good laugh and we all learned some things in the process too. It is important to learn how to prevent HIV spread by using condoms. We need to get past our fears and embarrassment of activities like this and really learn the right way of protecting ourselves.

In this activity we had to list all the ways different groups of people are affected by HIV and how they are affected socially, spiritually, economically and politically. Then we had a representative from each group explain what they came up with.

At the closing ceremony we prayed for each other and tied prayer strings around each others wrists to remind us of how we are all working together to help our community.

We all took communion and lit candles from the single candle that was lit at the opening ceremony. We all stood around in a circle and held hands while a few people from each group responded about how grateful they were to participate in this workshop. Gifts were given out to key people responsible for putting the workshop together and a final prayer was said.

A group photo of all the participants. Now lets go out and be the salt and the light and not let these just be words, but put into action. Please pray for all the people participating in the workshop and the communities they serve.

Grateful to be back

2010-07-25T23:06:00.001-07:00

We are the Faucett Family. Brett, Shelly, Acacia and Annapurna and we are mission partners working under InterServe USA. Brett is working at CAM helping the staff with English, grant/report writing, going on site visits and all things media related, such as this blog. We spent almost 6 months in the States to raise support to come back to Thailand and we are very excited to be back. I'm very eager to get back to work with the wonderful people at CAM. They are doing an amazing job and are greatly appreciated by the people they serve.
Stay tuned for further posts.
Sawat dii khrap

Educating Thailand's Youth

2009-12-17T22:58:00.000-08:00

CAM staff teaching human sexuality and HIV awareness at a local private school.

CAM staff teach HIV awareness at all Church of Christ in Thailand's schools; they are often invited to teach in Thai government schools and many local universities as well.

CAM staff lead several training sessions on HIV prevention and sexuality each year. For many Thai students, CAM's trainings may be the only HIV education they receive.
Children participate in highly interactive activities like these where the kids learn how easily HIV is spread.

World AIDS Day 2009

2009-12-16T23:22:00.000-08:00

CAM Staff hold a sign with the 2009 theme for World AIDS Day. CAM joined several other NGOs to spread the word about HIV/AIDS during a public awareness campaign on December 1 2009.
CAM handed out red ribbons and bumper stickers to drivers at rush hour in Chiang Mai.

An important part of CAM's mission is to educate and increase public awareness on HIV/AIDS.

Youth ages 15-24 have one of the fastest growing infection rates in Thailand.There are currently more than 600,000 people living with HIV in the country, 250,000 of them are women over the age of 15 and 14,000 are children.

Wanida, A CAM Client, Receives New Habitat Home

2009-12-16T22:18:00.000-08:00

President Carter put in a door on a home for the Habitat Project in Thailand.

Wanida, a CAM client who is living with HIV, worked alongside CAM staff and other volunteers to build a home for her family as part of the 2009 Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project in Chiang Mai.

A tailor by trade, Wanida and her family had poor living conditions and limited access to clean water. CAM recommended Wanida as a good candidate for one of the 82 homes being built for the King's 82nd birthday. Wanida applied and was accepted. She worked hard each day alongside the other volunteers to build her new home, often being the first to arrive at the work site each morning and the last to leave each night.

CAM employees at the entrance to the 2009 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Mekong Build Project worksite.

First Home Visit: A CAM Volunteer's Experience

2009-12-15T21:15:00.000-08:00

My volunteer placement is with Christian AIDS Ministry (CAM);they work on HIV/AIDS awareness, education, and prevention in the Chiang Mai and the surrounding districts. As part of their mission, they also conduct home visits to local villages in the northern areas to ensure that people living with HIV/AIDS receive the care and access to medicines that they need. After a week or so of reading materials and getting up to speed on their work, I had my first experience out "in the field".

We began by visiting a slum area here in Chiang Mai where about 300 people live. The minister and director of CAM, Ajan Sanan was doing a home visit to a woman living with HIV. Since there were a few of us foreigners with him, the woman agreed to tell us her story. A member of a local hill tribe family, she was sold to a brothel near the northern border at the age of 11. Since she spoke Lahu (rather than Thai), whenever she met a man who spoke her language, she would tell him about her situation and ask for his help in escaping. One man finally did help her get out, but the brothel owner found her and sent her to another brothel in southern Thailand. She escaped again and found her way to Chiang Mai. She now lives in a "home" she put together out of plywood. She has HIV, but is not open about her status out of fear of discrimination. She has taken in a younger woman who is a refugee and also has HIV. They live in the one-room home and make a living from selling items or giving back massages on the street. They use water from a hole for cooking and relieve themselves outside.

We sat there listening to their stories and trying to imagine how they live. As undocumented ethnic minorities and refugees, they don't qualify for healthcare benefits like Thai citizens do. CAM helps women like this get anti-retro viral medications that prolong their lives. The minister offered to pray with the women and asked them what they need. One woman asked for a new home and the other wanted a toilet. We sat around them in a circle, joined hands and prayed with them.

The next morning I arrived at CAM to find the minister hauling a toilet in the back of his truck to bring to the women and their neighbors in the slum. -Rachel, CAM Volunteer

Gone before their time

2009-08-16T21:41:00.001-07:00

I was at the CAM office last week doing my usual thing, working on the computer, sending emails and organizing photos for our new youth peer photo project. I went to go get a cup of coffee and I saw my office director Jaruwan going through old photos of kids that CAM took care of back 10 years ago. I stopped to look at photos with her while she described the kids lives. All the kids looked so happy and Jaruwan had a big smile on her face as she was telling stories of these kids. Like the kids in the swimming pool. That was the first time any of them had ever been in a swimming pool. After she tells me the story, she has kind of a sad expression when she points to the young boy on the left of the swimming picture because he passed away shortly after that due to HIV/AIDS.
She said the boy was around 8 or 9 at the time of his death. All I could think about was that my oldest daughter was almost 8. I couldn't fathom losing her at such a young age.
She went on to describe the other kids in the pictures. Each one had her smiling as she reminisced about the laughs they shared and how they touched her life. During all of this she kept pointing at kid after kid and said he's passed away and she's passed away. I could feel the tears start to well up in my eyes. I felt so helpless. These kids didn't do anything wrong, yet they are the ones paying the price with their lives. In America these kids could have been saved with Anti-Retro-Viral medications. Over here it was a different story back then. Fortunately, the situation is better in Thailand now although we still have a long way to go. There are many kids that fall through the cracks and don't receive any treatment. CAM tries desperately to reach all the kids affected and infected by HIV. Please pray for all the forgotten children that are suffering with HIV/AIDS.

Rot Nam Dam Hua, 2009

2009-05-10T20:25:00.001-07:00

Rot Nam Dam Hua coincides with Songkran and The Lanna New Year. It is the time of year when we show respect for our elders and bless each other. Elders in the community sit at the head table and offer prayers and blessings for the new year. Water is then sprinkled on the community members as they come up to the table.

It is also a time to get together for fellowship and fun. A time to renew old friendships and create new ones.

After the festivities people lined up for the food that was prepared. Like many places in the world when there is a ceremony there is food. You would never go hungry in Thailand. Food is everywhere and the Thais are very generous.

Khun Luck showing us how it is done. CAM hosted this community event which was attended by several of the patients CAM sees on a regular basis. Fun was had by all.

Zoo trip for children living with and affected by HIV/AIDS

2009-03-15T20:15:00.000-07:00

Children from several surrounding villages were invited by CAM to go on an outing to the Zoo. Some of the children had never been to the zoo before so this was a real treat. CAM sees a majority of these children on a regular basis and assists these families in dealing with HIV/AIDS. A number of these children will participate in a peer support and training group. The project will include the children photographing their lives and how HIV/AIDS affects them. They will put together scrapbooks/photo albums and then at the end of the year they will present it to their peers and the community.

This elephant is trying to hitch a ride on the shuttle bus. The children are trying to tell the elephant there is no room. They decide to give the elephant some food to distract it from trying to get on the bus again. The distraction worked.

All the kids drew pictures of their favorite animal and described what the animal does.

Playtime!!! I got the kids to pull me in the hanging basket. It was pretty tiring pulling a heavy farang. Poor kids.

We would have had more money for this project if it wasn't for this bird constantly stealing our money. Better luck next time I guess.

Best friends forever!

Public Health Training for volunteers

2009-03-03T20:16:00.000-08:00

On the 22-23rd of Jan, 2009 CAM staff member Supaluck Nammuang was a guest speaker at a training seminar held at the Royal Floral Gardens in Chiang Mai. Ms. Supaluck working along with the Public Health Dept gave a speech to the volunteers from the " Ethnic Groups Public Health Office." The focus of the training was on disease prevention and sex education. The hope is that by training the trainers they will in turn educate their community.

Follow up visit to Chiang Dao

2009-03-03T19:41:00.000-08:00

On the 12th of December, 2008 CAM staff members Mr Mit Pornimitsakul and Ms. Sasitorn Tinwongyuan visited HIV/AIDS ethnic groups (Lahu, Akha, Lawa and Kachin) living in Jiajan, Nong Khiow and Mai Samakey in the sub district of Chiang Dao within the province of Chiang Mai. The CAM staff received 6 boxes of donated clothes from various organizations to distribute to the poor people within the communities visited. CAM also purchased second hand jackets to give to 20 children that have been affected by HIV/AIDS in their community.

Church and Community Foster Care Project

2009-02-03T19:36:00.000-08:00

This is the first meeting of the Church and Community Foster Care Project. The purpose of this particular project within the overall activities of CAM, is to train up and resource church members to provide family support for children and adults, who have been left unsupported by their own families due to sickness or death from AIDS. The goal is for a number of churches in the Chiang Mai district of Northern Thailand to seek ways to help families affected by HIV/AIDS and to offer this help in very practical ways, for example, in such a way that the church family becomes the extended family of AIDS orphans where there is no other family support. This may include helping with housing provision and upkeep, schooling costs and general day to day care. The idea is for individual churches to take on a form of family foster care, and to see this as a long term commitment to families until they are able to support themselves once more. The aim is that this project will become self sustaining, as the participating churches become good role models for other churches and as they seek ways to raise the finances needed from within local church and community.

Target groups: Year 1 of the project: 10 churches within CCT who are willing to participate in community AIDS care-each church sending 5 members for ongoing training in home based care.
The 2nd year of the project: Increase to 2 more churches
The 3rd year of the project: Increase to 5 more churches (resulting in at least 17 churches in community-church based care by the 3rd year.

The families and the churches will be selected mostly from hill tribe minority groups, but will also include Thai citizens/ethnic Thai churches in the city where there is extreme poverty and need.

CAM staff will select 10 churches to participate in the project, based on their previous experience in caring for people living with HIV/AIDS, and on evaluating the willingness and ability to participate in community care for families.
Each participating church will then select 5 members from within the church who will commit to receive training in community awareness of care of people with HIV, home based care and general education about HIV/AIDS.
Each participating church will at this point consider the potential families that may benefit from church foster support and be establishing relationship with them prior to training and commencement of the project.

The first of 4 training sessions will take place by CAM, for all participating members where basic AIDS teaching will be provided, awareness in community access to care , holistic care training and financial budgeting advice. Each church will be provided with a set amount of money for AIDS care through the church, which will be reduced on a percentage basis year by year, as the church family seeks ways to raise funds locally through themselves or through community access.
A further 3 training sessions will take place through the first year, with time for monitoring progress, evaluation through feedback on individual situations, and updating on new information, counsel and advice.

CAM staff will be available as a resource in person or on the phone, throughout the year, and will regularly maintain contact with the church members and families receiving support.

CAM staff will have initial overall responsibility for oversight of the funds. and assist with how they are distributed until the churches are able to take on full responsibility for themselves. CAM staff will be responsible for monitoring and evaluation through the year based on the feedback from church members and families. CAM will maintain contact with the donors and submit regular stories, photographs and auditing of funds.

Please pray for the all the Church and community members participating in this worthwhile project.

World AIDS Day December 1st, 2008

2008-12-16T19:54:00.000-08:00

The estimated population of Thailand is 65,493,000 people of which approximately 614,000 are living with HIV/AIDS. These number can be further broken down to Adults 15 years and older comprise 600,000 cases. Women aged 15 years and older make up 250,000 of the total adults. Children from birth to 15 years old account for 14,000 cases of HIV/AIDS. The estimated adult HIV prevalence rate in Thailand is 1.4%. Total number of AIDS related deaths in 2007 is 31,000 (UNAIDS).

December 1st commemorates World AIDS Day unfortunately due to Thailand’s unstable political circumstances the World AIDS Day celebration was quite subdued. The original plan was to have a march of WAD participants from each corner of the moat to the center of town. The central part of Chiang Mai is surrounded by a moat. Speeches were supposed to be given and lots of networking between HIV/AIDS organizations. This was curtailed by the government’s fear of large groups of people gathering due to the recent protestor activity.

Church of Christ in Thailand AIDS Ministry(CAM) along with 6-7 other HIV/AIDS NGO’s and FBO’s organized a WAD celebration in the sub district of Saraphi located in the southern part of Chiang Mai. The celebration was a gathering of approximately 150-200 people with a stage and several HIV/AIDS information booths surrounding the perimeter of the facility. CAM manned an information booth and also constructed a “tree of love” which was made from branches of a real tree. CAM provided heart shaped paper cutouts and people were then encouraged to write a note of love and compassion for people suffering from HIV/AIDS. These heart shaped notes were then hung on the tree branches like leaves on the tree. It was to symbolize that we are all connected even though we may feel like we are way out on a limb it still leads back to the center of the tree. We are all a part of one big tree and that we are all affected by each other.

Ajan Sanan Wutti the Director of CAM who is also a reverend participated in preaching church sermons devoted especially to HIV/AIDS in Phrao and in Saraphi. We were surprised during his sermon to the Phrao congregation on the directness of his speech regarding the church’s responsibility to acknowledge and address HIV/AIDS in their community. This is not the typical Thai way of sending a message across. The Thai’s tend to be very indirect and issues especially ones that are sensitive in nature like HIV/AIDS are often talked about in a round about way. The response from the congregation was positive and we will monitor if it will have a lasting effect.

This morning I attended a prayer service held at one of the Church of Christ in Thailand (CCT) conference rooms. The service was attended by several church members who are under the CCT and also several community members outside of the CCT. The Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) and the Asian Interfaith Network on AIDS (AINA) were among the groups represented at the service. There was an advent service with the lighting of 3 candles. One young HIV positive girl was brought up to light a candle and was prayed for by an Elder in the community. The young girl and her younger sister acquired HIV after being raped and both are now living in a place called “House of Love”. “House of Love” takes in children that have been abandoned, orphaned and HIV positive. The children are primarily from Hill tribes and are more at risk since non Thais have difficult access to health care and services. At the end of the service we all wrote a note of love and
compassion on our heart cutouts and tied them to the tree branch.

Please pray for the people of Thailand and their continued efforts to care for those suffering from HIV/AIDS.

Blessings
CAM

Family dilemma

2008-11-04T19:58:00.000-08:00

Recently this writer had the opportunity to visit a family that has been affected by HIV. The mother is seriously ill, unable to care for herself and her two daughters aged 1 and 8 years old. The mother is unable to obtain ARV treatment since her disease has progressed too far. According to the doctor's diagnosis the mother might not have much longer to live. At this point he can only treat the symptoms which is caused by opportunistic infections, not the disease itself.

The burden of caring for the family falls on the 8 year old daughter. She is not only the mother's caretaker but must also care for herself as well as her hyperactive one year old sister. The eldest daughter has been unable to attend school for the last three weeks due to her overwhelming home responsibilities. The family depends on her for the shopping and laundry. Despite the well intentions of the 8 year old child, due to her young age, she unintentionally made her younger sister sick with diarrhea by mixing pasteurized milk with tap water. The younger child had to be taken to the hospital.

Currently the family resides with a cousin in a rental house in Chiang Mai. Unfortunately, the cousin wants the family to move out as soon as possible. This family is facing all kinds of problems, in addition to health issues there are also issues with living accommodations. There are no options which allow this family to stay together. Though there are many organizations that open a resting house to help people with HIV/AIDS, their restrictions make it difficult for this family to obtain the assistance they need. Some houses don't allow children, others only admit children who are HIV positive, while still others only accept children whom don't have any parents. The mother wants to live her life with her 2 children as long as she is on this earth. Sadly, her hope at this time is almost impossible to fulfill.

In Chiang Mai Thailand, even though people are provided with an opportunity to obtain ARVs for free, there is still discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS. Many people choose to hide their status and keep it a secret for as long as possible. Unfortunately these people wait until their illness is so bad that medications won't be of any help. This is the cause of many deaths. The writer found out that the reason the mother did not disclose her HIV status was due to this fear. She feared discrimination and of being ostracized from the people around her. She was very sick when she decided to see the doctor.

The case of this family is quite complicated. A possible solution could be the following:
1) The mother lives in a house for those women affected with HIV.
2) The oldest daughter lives with her father in the south of the country.
3) The youngest daughter stays in a home for children suffering from the effects of HIV/AIDS.

Perhaps this is the best solution at this time. But it is disappointing that the last desired wish of the mother will never come true!

This writer would like to ask, why do some people who are infected with the virus give up the fight for their lives
instead of facing the discrimination and ostracization from society? Many of us who are working in this field also have to ask ourselves whether we are doing enough and in the most beneficial way by giving and distributing information to the public about HIV/AIDS.

New Volunteer at CAM

2008-11-04T18:34:00.000-08:00

A Tribute to the CAM Staff

I am a volunteer that has been sent by the American Jewish World Service Organization (AJWS) to work with CAM on English skills and funding reports. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, USA. I have been retired from social work for almost two years.

I've had the honor of working with CAM for two months. I'll never forget the kindness and support they have shown towards me. On the first day of my arrival, they took time from their busy schedule and personally delivered various household items to the apartment I was staying in. I was even taken shopping for things I might need. That kindness has extended for the duration of my visit. They've included me in various activities, always making sure I was warm, comfortable and even got to experience their delicious food and treats. They also patiently tried to teach me Thai.

I also had the privilege of seeing the dedication to their patients first hands. I was invited to attend one of their workshops. There I witnessed the interactive teaching of the participants. In addition, I also took a trip with one of the staff to visit a Lahu village, a community and government hospital and also a nursery school. Even though I am not able to speak the Thai language, the kindness and caring was clearly evident bu the tone and body language, not to mention the distance itself that we had to travel. One of the worships held to commemorate World Aids Day almost brought tears of hopefulness to my eyes as the participants held hands and sang in support of all those who suffered

I just want to say thank you CAM staff. I only hope can show the same kindness an caring to others as you have shown to me.

Frannie Hoff

Na uu Jalee's story from Chiang Dao

2008-09-21T23:11:00.000-07:00

(This picture was taken prior to her hospital visit when she was very sick)

Miss Na uu Jalee is a 30 year old Lahu woman who is a villager in the Jiajun village in Chiang Dao which is a sub district north of Chiang Mai. The first time she got married was more than 10 years ago to Mr Jaka Babu. Together they have a daughter named Nicha Babu and she is now 10 years old. She is in 3rd grade and is studying at the "Baan Muang Na" village school.

Na uu Jalee's first husband died when her daughter was 2 months old. After some time she met a new boyfriend and they lived together, his name is Jasee Jalaw. Unfortunately her boyfriend Jasee passed away in 2006. They had 2 sons together which are Yahe and Jasaw. Currently, they don't have land or a house to call their own. They are now living at their cousin's house of her latest husband. The house is very crowded with 9-10 people living in a very confined space.

Her family is in a very difficult situation after her husband became sick and died. She is forced to take care of her family on her own and do the best she can with what she has. She got very sick and had many problems like bloating/gas, tightening of the chest, difficulty breathing and a very poor appetite. Since she is unable to work due to her illness, she doesn't have any money for food or medicine for herself and her 3 children.

Besides the sickness, she has other problems as well regarding her citizenship status due to the fact that herself and her 2 sons do not have any of the documents needed for Thai citizenship. Except for her daughter Nicha from the first husband who has a birth certificate. Even though she does have the certificate she does not yet have the Thai citizenship. So, the whole family is without Thai citizenship which prevents them from accessing social services, such as the right to receive free medical treatment. They are expected to pay from their own pocket. She is also restricted from traveling outside the village without written permission, which causes her family problems especially now that she is very sick.

On Aug 22nd, 2008 CAM staff took her to the Chiang Dao Hospital to receive treatment and she stayed in the hospital until the 26th. After she left the hospital she was still very worried about her situation at home with no food, no money and living from hand to mouth. It was getting so bad that she asked her sons to ask the monks for food when they came for alms.

Even the cousins that helped them out before couldn't help now because they were also struggling and living hand to mouth. She told us if there any organizations that would like to adopt her sons she would let them go because it is impossible for her to take care of them. She is sick and her kids are suffering and she thinks this would be their best chance at a better future. She feels very upset that her life has been a continous struggle, but she does feel hopeful when she talks to the Church leader Anon Jabu who is also a volunteer at CAM. After Anon's visit with Na uu Jalee he met with CAM staff to discuss her situation. CAM continues to help Na uu Jalee and her family but they need more help, especially from the community.

(This picture was taken after her hospital visit and she feels much better)

CAM was able to help by paying for Na uu Jalee's hospital visit, transportation and meals.
Totalling 4,948 baht

Please pray for Na uu Jalee and her family.

"Friends of AIDS Ministry"

2008-08-17T21:23:00.000-07:00

On July 19, 2008 CAM arranged a monthly meeting for a group of 30 participants of HIV infected people at the CAM office. The meeting's topic was "Healthy Nutrition". Cam invited guest speaker Ajarn Ganokwan Utkosagit and her team to teach and encourage HIV+ people to take care of themselves with proper nutrition.
Emphasis on a proper diet especially for HIV+ people is crucial for sustaining good health along with other preventative measures. They concluded the meeting with a nutritious lunch and joined together in fellowship. Everybody benefited from all the information and mutual support.

Australian Educational Team Site Visit

2008-08-17T20:19:00.000-07:00

On July 8-10th Scott Litchfield together with his family lead the team of 8 members of Coromandel Church from the Uniting Church of South Australia to Thailand. The Church group traveled to Thailand to visit the HIV+ group called "Sai Wai Rak" (Stream of Love). They included an educational site visit to the Church of Christ in Thailand (CAM) and various organizations such as the Pastoral Dept and McGilvary Seminary, Payap University and the 1st District Church in Chiang Mai. The main goal for the visit is to work together with God's love to build and strengthen the relationship between the Coromandel Church and the various Thai organizations visited. During the site visit the Team from Coromandel Church had an opportunity to work in the field with the HIV+ group "Sai Wai Rak". Half of members of the Coromandel Church were given the opportunity to stay with "Sai Wai Rak" in their village for about 2 nights and the other half stayed with Ajarn Sanan Wutti at the Orphanage "Huan Nam Jai" (House of Giving),which is supported by the Chang Cam church. These were both excellent opportunities to see and experience the lives of the Thai people.

"Life Skills Workshop"

2008-08-12T20:43:00.000-07:00

On July 2,9,11,15, 2008 The Prince Royal College arranged a camp called "Jai Sai Wai Na Rak" (Stream of Love). 495 students from the 6th grade were divided up into 4 groups for a period of 4 days. The Prince Royal College invited CAM staff as a guest speakers and a resource for trainers in the topic of life skills, AIDS education and understanding sexuality and prevention measures for oneself. This training was conducted at the Army Camp facility in the sub district of Mae Rim in Chiang Mai. From this activity we can see all the students were very interested and having lots of fun. The team from PRC organized these activities by emphasizing the participation of the kids.

Interfaith Pre-Conference 2008 "Reclaiming the Rights of Children Affected and Living with HIV/AIDS" in Asia

2008-07-15T23:23:00.000-07:00

Prior to the 17th International AIDS Conference due to be held in Mexico in August 2008, the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) together with Asian Interfaith Network on HIV/AIDS (AINA), the Church of Christ in Thailand AIDS Ministry (CAM)and other NGO's organized an inclusive 5 day Pre-Conference addressing the concerns of children's rights.
The Pre-Conference was attended by 78 religious leaders representing 11 countries within Asia. As the title states this was an interfaith conference with Buddhist, Christians, Muslims and Hindus sharing experiences and resources to achieve a common goal of reclaiming rights of children affected by HIV/AIDS.

Children are a vulnerable part of society with very little input in their own lives. Religous leaders are at the forefront to make a serious impact with the lives of children. Everyday there are approximately 1,800 children infected with HIV/AIDS who are under age 15.

The majority of these children are infected via mother to child transmission. This crucial situation in terms of well-being for children put many questions in front of faith communities and families and need to be addressed adequately.

HIV/AIDS is a critical challenge for religious communities and demands their concern and commitment now more than ever before. It is not only a health crisis, but a dilemma that affects basic human dignity and rights, including the right to live, be healthy and access public services.

The keynote speaker Ms.Win Sie Cheng from "UNICEF" addressed the conference with some key points. She stated that the primary mode of transmission of HIV/AIDS in Asia is sexual contact, ie, men having sex with men (MSM)and female sex workers (FSW) with clients transmitting the virus onto their spouses and their children. Ms Cheng also pointed out that Faith Based Organizations are in a key position to provide family centered/home based care and mobilize community based responses.

One of the conference's participants was a HIV positive man from India who shared his experiences of living with HIV/AIDS and he stated how crucial it is that Faith Based Organizations actively participate in the care of people living with HIV/AIDS especially children.
On the 2nd day of the conference we were all divided into 4 groups to visit sites in the community that are addressing HIV/AIDS and kids. These kids in the picture are from a place called "House of Love" which has children that have been abandoned or orphaned by parents that have died from AIDS related illness'. The "House of Love" has 27 kids of which 25-30% of them have HIV/AIDS. However, they are all affected by HIV/AIDS if not infected.
Each faith was able to address the conference with their perspective on the HIV/AIDS crisis in respect to children and what their objective and plan was to collaborate with the other faiths.

I felt the conference was a success, but I also know that talking about a problem is different than taking action against it. We all need to take action if there is going to be a difference made.

Life skills camp for Children, "World Vision"

2008-06-22T23:14:00.001-07:00

On April 28-30th, 2008 the World Vision Foundation in the Lampun district organized the "Life skills camp" for 55 children who are supported by "World Vision".

"World Vision" invited 4 staff members from CAM to be resources for the training. The 4 CAM staff consisted of Jaruwan Wutti, Supaluk Nammuang, Somdet Pornimitsakul and Siriluk Gowan

The objective of the training was to increase capacity building and to teach them how to take care of their own health.

The trainers helped incorporate the concepts learned in the camp to teach a way of living and being self sufficient within the economy. After receiving this training the participants will be able to utilize all the things they learned in their daily lives. The camp was held at the economic sufficiency learning center in the Mae Rim sub district of Chiang Mai.

UNAIDS

2008-06-22T23:10:00.001-07:00

The 22nd UNAIDS Program Coordinating Board Meeting convened from the 23-25 of April, 2008. Over 500 people from UNESCO attended this conference which was held at the Holiday Inn in Chiang Mai. The objective of this meeting was to follow up on the evaluation reports and to formulate a strategy plan for working together in regards to AIDS programs in several regions of the world.

Rev. Sanan Wutti was invited to this conference on behalf of the CCT(Church of Christ in Thailand)

"Rot nam dam hua"

2008-06-22T23:05:00.000-07:00

On April 17, 2008 the group (PHA) People with HIV/AIDS and their families gathered together along with private networking and development organizations for AIDS. These people came to greet and show respect for the network of people working with AIDS at the ceremony "Rot nam dam hua". This ceremony coincided with the Songkran festival and the Lanna New Year.

The AIDS Mission project arranged the food for lunch and joined in the fellowship of the 60 people that were participating.

Family Camp "Warm Heart of Love"

2008-06-22T19:06:00.000-07:00

The "Compassion Foundation" held a family camp called "The warm heart of love" on the 7-8th of April. The main target group was a group of about 40 kids and their caregivers that have been suffering the effects of HIV/AIDS. The objective of the camp was to facilitate building relationships within the family. For example, the relationship between the affected child and their Parents/ GrandParents/Aunts and Uncles often have gaps. Within these family dynamics there are fears of talking to one another and doing activities together. There is a significant amount of shame associated with HIV/AIDS. Thus, the camp organizers invited 3 AIDS Mission staff "A. Nawanat Kunasawat", "A. Sasitawn Tinwongyuan", and "Ms. Sirilak Gowan" to be guest speakers. The guest speakers were able to encourage the building of relationships within the families. These were done through dialog and role playing. The participants all agreed that these activities helped their families begin to form better relationships with each other and that there was a feeling of love and understanding amongst each other.

Group support for people living with HIV/AIDS

2008-06-15T20:38:00.000-07:00

This is a group called "Sai Yai Rak" (stream of love and concern)which is based in the district Pua in the Nan province. Saturday June 7th 2008 they met with Rev. Sanan Wutti who provides practical, spiritual and emotional support. The meeting was about ARV drug resistance and how to help.

Two children at this community meeting just started their ARV treatment medications. One of the children "Nat" (in the dark blue shirt)who is 10 years old is currently living with his Aunt. Nats Mother and Father died of HIV/AIDS 5 years ago. The other boy "Pao" (in the light blue shirt)is 13 years old and when he started his ARV medications 3years ago his CD4 count was at 16. Now his CD4 count is currently at 60, however his viral load has risen as high as 200,000. Pao's Father passed away 10 years ago from HIV/AIDS. Pao's Mother on the other hand is still living with HIV/AIDS and appears strong and healthy despite not taking any ARV treatment. Pao's Mother is very worried about Pao's viral load being so high.

This community center you see in the picture helps provide income generating with training for sewing clothes and other items. The "Caromando Valley Church in Adelaide Australia" sponsored this project.

Srikom pictured at the center of the photo is the only Christian among this Buddhist community. Srikom is the chairperson for this community outreach center. Directly behind Srikom is Lumpun and she is the Chairperson of the people living with HIV/AIDS for the Nan Province.

ARV treatment of pregnant women

2008-05-25T19:46:00.000-07:00

HIV/AIDS consultant/advisers from all over the world met in Arlington Virginia, U.S.A from the 5-8th of April 2008. The main topic of discussion was the ongoing research of ARV's (Anti-Retro-Viral)treatments with pregnant women, babies and the youth who have contracted HIV. This meeting was attended by many representatives from several areas. Among the Thai community consultants were 2 staff members from the AIDS mission program who participated on behalf of the CCT (Church of Christ in Thailand). A. Sanan Wutti is the representative of RINES (The Health Science Research Institute at Chiang Mai University). Supalak Namuang is the representative from the prevention of mother to baby transmission program in Thailand (PHPT). Church leaders were also involved including a Pastor from Zambia and a Pastor from Washington, U.S.A. Along with representatives from the "House of Grace" and Prapokglao Hospital.

As you can see they are working with HIV/AIDS in every corner of the world. There will be a church leader involved with working seriously and continuously at every level of the AIDS pandemic in order to let the will of God appear in the middle of the AIDS crisis. In this meeting they were able to report the success and progress in preventing the transmission of HIV in babies and the youth. Unfortunately, one of the consequences of HIV/AIDS is that it causes these children to become orphans in the future. The world community and churches must work together to find a clear path and solutions to deal with these problems.

Training camp for youth leaders for empowerment and people living with HIV/AIDS

2008-05-20T19:28:00.000-07:00

On May 17th, 2008 Reverend Sanan Wutti and Khun Somdet Pornnimitsakun conducted a training camp for 30 youths affected with HIV/AIDS. The groups consisted of youth that are HIV negative and another group that is HIV positive. This training camp was held at the Thummila House in the Chiang Rai province. World Vision organized/sponsored the event.

The program began at 9am with a prayer. The first activity included singing a song, and then the youth played a game to break the ice for everyone to get to know each other. The youth participated in a discussion on who they are and what they are doing in their lives. The second activity had each participant receive a paper with a drawing of various people in a tree and each person had to choose a person on the drawing that reflected them in their life. Some people in the drawing were swinging happily on the tree branches and others were just hanging on or actually falling off. Each person was allowed to discuss which person on the drawing that they chose and why.

After this activity Rev. Sanan read a passage from the bible that related to the previous activity. Then everyone watched a DVD produced by public health department of the government that taught about ways to prepare the youth and the people living with HIV/AIDS to work and live within the community. Rev Sanan conducted a ceremony with washing of hands and then annointing with oil. The day ended with all the youth talking together about all the new information and knowledge that they have gained from all the days activities. They all left with a better understanding of themselves and each other, and had a great time as well.

New Mission Worker at CAM

2008-05-13T20:17:00.000-07:00

Sawat dii khrap,

My name is Brett Faucett and I am the new mission worker from the PCUSA (Presbyterian Church USA). I am the farang (foreigner) in the blue shirt in the left of the picture. My wife, Shelly, is diagonally across from me and Jan and Jeff Hudson are sitting at the table to my left. My family and I came to Thailand in August of last year. We have two little girls Acacia and Annapurna, ages 6 and 4 years old.

My job title is "HIV/AIDS regional consultant for Asia." I will be working in Thailand, India and China. I met A. Sanan at the airport when we first arrived and, unfortunately, was so bleary eyed that I don't remember much. However, I did remember that in the future I would be spending a lot of time with A. Sanan and the staff at CAM.

My wife and I immediately enrolled into language classes after settling into our new home. We are doing well with the language, but still struggle sometimes. I work now with CAM along side Judy Cook, another Mission worker from the Baptist Church. I am very impressed with all the good work CAM is doing with addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Asia. Asia currently has the highest rate of HIV transmission in the world.

I'll give you little background on myself. I am a registered nurse and worked in critical care at a hospital in Newport Beach, California for 6 1/2 years. My wife and I are certified HIV/AIDS instructors with the American Red Cross. We both served in the Peace Corps for 2 years in the Republic of Moldova (Former Soviet Union). I served as a health educator and Shelly served as a English teacher for the high school. We have travelled extensively and have visited 45 countries. We have a 3 year assignment here in Chiang Mai, but we hope to make it a lifetime commitment. I look forward to working with CAM for many years and the opportunity to serve God for whatever He has planned for my family and me.

I will update this blog on a regular basis, so stay tuned!

God Bless

Brett Faucett (Mission Worker)

Our Elderly Friends

2008-01-17T20:45:00.000-08:00

On December 12, two of CAM staff, met by invitation with 50 elderly men and women parishioners, at a small church in Chiang Dao. Through activities such as games, art, and singing CAM encouraged the group members to share their feelings about their lives and HIV/AIDS.

Many in the group were experiencing the effects of HIV/AIDS within their families. CAM staff counseled them about quality of life, how to take care of themselves and renew their energy. Some people expressed loneliness and suggestions were made about how to engage in group activities, such as talking, praying, and singing together, and in this way form new relationships and feel less lonely..

The program went from 10AM to 3PM, with coffee and lunch included. At the end of the day the group said they were happy that CAM came to talk with them and invited the staff to return and talk with them again.

Picnic Day

2008-01-17T20:42:00.000-08:00

Each month, on a Saturday, CAM holds a support group meeting, at the office, for PLWA. On November 12, as the rainy season was over, CAM held the meeting at the Sankhampang Hot Springs, and included a picnic.

It took place from 10AM until 3PM and a lot of delicious food was prepared and eaten. People relaxed, and soaked their feet and legs in the springs, boiled eggs which they snacked on, and bathed in the bath house.

After lunch the group gathered for a meeting. There were games and laughs before the talking began, and at the end people of the day people left feeling content and satisfied.

Welcome Marcia Klein

2008-01-17T20:38:00.000-08:00

Also, in November CAM welcomed a new volunteer from the USA. Marcia Klein came to work with CAM for three months, under the auspices of American Jewish World Service, (AJWS). She is the second volunteer they have sent to CAM.

Marcia is a retired social worker, who has had several other volunteer assignments in Africa and India. She is here to work with CAM staff on grant writing and English language skills.

Her husband, Stanley is here also, volunteering at Community Forest Group, another NGO in Chiang Mai. When the couple is not volunteering, they are living in Mexico and New York City, or traveling the world.

Goodbye Jan and Jeff

2008-01-17T20:33:00.000-08:00

In November 2007, after four months, working with CAM, Jan and Jeff Hudson returned to their home and family in Australia.

While, here they completed an excellent DVD depicting CAM’s overall work and spirit. Jan also taught English to the CAM staff.

CAM is very appreciative of Jan and Jeff’s compassionate effort on their behalf. We hope they will return soon.

INTERFAITH GROUP FOR PEACE IN BURMA

2007-10-10T00:20:00.000-07:00

In September, Buddhist monks, nuns, and the people of Burma, demonstrated for peace and freedom. The Burmese junta responded with violence, causing more than 200 deaths. Thousands have been imprisoned, receiving inhumane treatment.

As a response to this violence, the Interfaith Group for Peace in Burma has been formed, to show spiritual solidarity and call for peaceful transformation in Burma.

On Thursday evening, 4th of October, about 250 people, including Buddhists, Moslems and Christians, gathered at Buddhasathan, Chiang Mai, for prayer for peace in Burma. The meeting was conducted in Burmese, Thai and English, with representatives from each of the three faiths, leading in prayer.

Many photos of the violence were displayed, T-shirts calling for peace in Burma were for sale, and traditional songs and dancing were performed.

This is all part of a number of activities, over 4 days, including three peace walks, discussion and films about Burma.

Saturday Morning Peer Group

2007-09-24T01:51:00.000-07:00

Once a month, on a Saturday morning, a group of people who are HIV positive, gather at CAM for fellowship and support. CAM staff lead the group, encouraging input from all participants. They share their dreams and problems in a non-threatening atmosphere of caring and compassion. There is lots of laughter.

The people enjoy many different activities, and plan outings and bus trips together. The morning concludes with a shared lunch.

For the people involved, this is a very important group. As they share together, they grow in confidence, and find security in this affirming, loving family.

HOME VISITS

2007-09-17T20:30:00.000-07:00

CAM has pioneered home visits to people with HIV/AIDS.
For 17 years they have been travelling to villages and towns throughout Northern Thailand bringing spiritual and practical help to people in their homes. They encourage each individual to be open about his/her condition and enlist the help of family and community members. They help the afflicted to access the necessary medication and follow up with regular visits to monitor the condition of the patient and check that he/she is receiving the necessary care.
The light of Christ shines through these compassionate workers bringing love and hope to the people they serve.

Archived blog posts

2007-09-16T21:26:00.000-07:00

PLWHA Group in Nan (Saiyarak AIDS Group )
(Saiyarak – means “stream of love and concern”)

For the last 2 years, CAM staff has been invited to participate in ongoing teaching about AIDS prevention and protection, and care in the PLWHA group in Amphur Bua, Nan province. On each trip to Nan, the CAM staff utilize the time in traveling to pass through and visit people living on route who have been in contact with CAM previously and are living with HIV/AIDS. These visits provide essential encouragement and an opportunity to asses the health and social status of the individuals concerned. CAM staff report noticing that overall their health is good, and the number of deaths is reducing over the years mainly due to better access to health care through the government provision, as well as access to the ARV drugs.

During May their activities included:-

a) Youth / child training

CAM’s role has been specifically in teaching children and young people, through talking about family care, and protection issues relating to HIV/AIDS. So on May 13-14th CAM staff visited Nan province and held activities for training for the PLWHA groups. The teaching included basic knowledge about HIV, sexual education and latterly looking at risk behaviours and attitudes, and enabling children to discuss and ask questions more openly. On this occasion 54 people attended the seminar/ activity days, which included 38 children and their care-givers, and 4 children with HIV themselves. The children who attended were either living with extended family members, in hostel care ( for the benefit of attending senior schooling away from distant mountain villages) or under the care of the local church. The children in this group meet 3 monthly, though CAM budgeting does not allow for CAM staff to attend these meetings every time.

b) Group counseling for children and adults

Problems and issues of concern for the whole group and for individuals are discussed, and there is opportunity for each person to express their feelings and their needs in an open and honest atmosphere. The staff from CAM, although only visiting 1-2 times a year have a good and trusting relationship with the families in the group, so that they are often the reference point of contact, by phone when families face new or existing difficulties. Through the local church link-up and networking some of these families receive scholarship support, opportunities for income generation, and pastoral support form church members as appropriate. The group meets, as adults, each month, through government support and other organizations locally working with HIV, but CAM staff are invited to participate in seminars and training. If the CAM budget allowed for it, they would prefer to be able to visit more frequently than one/two times a year and establish a firmer partnership with this group and with the church locally in order to promote better acceptance of the problems of families living with the affects of HIV amongst the church and wider community. In April 2007, many of the group were able to attend a special day at CAM office in Chiang Mai, and link up with many other similar HIV support groups also linked with CAM, and in this time receive encouragement and support, as well as a fun day together.

CAM/PLWHA "City" Group
CAM/PLWHA ‘city’ group
For many years CAM has been a part of the support network of a group of PLWHA in the city, main area of Chiang Mai, and people in need locally come to the CAM office for support, counseling, drug-medical advice and just for encouragement and friendship. In previous years there was a clinic held at the office every Tuesday, for people to drop in for advice, with a Doctor in attendance. The need for this has reduced, due to the improving health overall of individuals, and consultations as needed are made by phone contact or by referral. Individuals and families within the group, through meeting together regularly are able to offer peer group support, and solve problems internally, among themselves.
This particular group is able to meet, at the CAM office, every month, on the last Saturday of the month. This month about 30 people came, mostly adults. The CAM staff provides opportunity for peer support and discussion, and specific training related to good self-health care, attitudes and the recent issues related to Compulsory Licensing. These meetings provide time for people to receive individual and group counseling as needed, and to share knowledge and experiences over the fellowship of sharing a meal together. May is often a hard month for these families, since this is the start of a new school term and time for the purchasing of new school uniforms, books and also time to pay school fees. Many families, through CAM and other networks, such as Project Lek (Agape Home) are able to receive help in the form of scholarships. Due to the locality of this group, and close proximity to the office, the members of this particular group visit more often, and pass by for advice in person more frequently, as well as contacting staff by phone. Members in this group meet on a Saturday usually, since they are working in the week in a number of employment options including as care-givers of children at Agape Home (HIV orphanage), handicraft training (Baan Handicraft), housemaids, and also selling produce in local markets. CAM helps new comers to the group network with local supportive employment opportunities.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Home visit following house fire

Last week CAM staff visited a family whom they have been supporting for a number of years, alongside Project Lek. The grandfather of the family works hard to care for his three grandchildren, having lost his daughter and son-in-law to HIV/AIDS several years ago. Gan is the oldest grand daughter,aged 14, and she takes on responsibilities in the home as well as completing her studies well at school. In the recent house fire that destroyed their outside kitchen/ storage area all her school books and uniforms were burnt so CAM, the local community and Agape Home ( Project lek) have helped replace these. The second grandchild, a boy is aged 9 and he also attends school and helps out round the house and with child care. Both these children are well and free from HIV infection thankfully. The youngest grandson has multiple problems, including HIV. He has severe autistic tendencies, requires 24 hour care, and this is provided by his grandfather or a neighbour who helps out for 30 baht a morning, when the grandfather is able to find work locally. This family already struggle socially and financially to live to exist and feed and clothe themselves daily, so the fire at night that destroyed the kitchen/ storage area and all its contents was an added burden. CAM staff continue to visit and help the family restore their lost items, and link them with available community support following this disaster. Hopefully a new kitchen will be reconstructed before too long. In the light of this apparent tragedy, the family stay hopeful and grateful for support from groups like CAM, and they are thankful that the fire did not spread to their newly built house where they were all asleep at the time of the fire.
Posted by CCT AIDS Ministry at 9:03 PM 0 comments
Home visits to families living with HIV/AIDS

Recently one CAM staff member, Khun Ploy, took me on a home visit with her to see a blind lady, aged 32 yrs, living with her mother, aged 78 years. Supit ( the blind lady) is HIV positive,becoming infected through the sex trade 12 years ago. She became blind, due to CMV in the eyes, about 6 years ago. Since that time she has been living with her elderly mother, and the two of them try to eke out a living with small work projects from their home. They live in a home that was repossed by a bank, and hope to be able to continue living there. Supit now has a shining smiling face, she is well on ARV medications, and gains support and encouragement to make the best of their lives despite her illness and their poor living conditions. Supit looks forward to the visits of CAM staff-which are a source of encouragement, as well as finding out how they are both doing. Financial support is offered occassionally, but not regularly, in order to continue promoting the other comunity support and their independence. Future needs of Supit will need to be considered int he event of Supit's mother being unable to care for her.
Posted by CCT AIDS Ministry at 8:34 PM 0 comments
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Case Study- from CAM staff member

Khun Yasi is a 29 year old Lahu man, who is HIV positive and receiving support from CAM staff. His wife, also HIV positive, died just over a year ago, leaving a daughter, aged 16, from her previous first marriage. The daughter is negative. Yasi cared for his sick wife and step daughter, until his wife died. He initially reacted badly to finding out that he too was infected by the virus, and resented CAM staff visiting his wife and child at first- so much so that at one point in a visit he physically attacked the Lahu staff member of CAM. CAM staff continued to visit and be a support, monthly and more often if needed, especially when his wife was close to dying and the family needed much support in all ways. Since his wife’s death, Yasi has been more able to accept his own state of health, which was at one point in decline, but is improving now with access to ARV drugs. Initially Yasi had bad reactions and allergies to his medications, but was swapped to different medications and now is coping well. He has no Thai citizenship, but is able to access the drugs free via a government scheme, but CAM project helps with hospital costs and the costs of necessary blood tests. The role of CAM is one of financial help, but more importantly of providing emotional and spiritual support. On the monthly visits, the CAM staff member gives a renewed sense of hope and belonging, helps with daily food needs if Yasi has been unable to find work that month and recently ( in May/June) CAM and caring neighbours enabled a new house to be built to replace the old house that was falling apart! Yasi was also part of the house building workforce, as well as CAM and volunteers. The daughter, since her mother’s death, lives with a teacher, near to her school, and was able to pass by the old house and visit her stepfather often. Due to their similarity in ages, it was deemed more appropriate that she did not continue to live with her stepfather, though their relationship is a good and caring one. Unfortunately the new house is not on route from her school and lodgings, so her visits may be less frequent. The teacher enables the daughter to live with her for free, but she helps with caring for smaller children in a hostel for young children nearby, and she is responsible for her own care in all aspects. Sometimes she is not sure whether she will have enough money to buy food by the end of the month. The school fees are expensive and beyond the reach of both Yasi and herself, but thankfully the school are understanding of this and for the last 2 years she has not had to pay school fees. This in itself is good, though she feels embarrassed by this, and her school friends tease her as to why she doesn’t pay her fees. In the past CAM has helped with her fees, and is actively seeking sponsorship for the remaining 3 years of school-presently she is in M3, and hopes to study to M6. Her teacher says she is a good and hard working student who could easily study further into university. Her wish is, provided sponsorship can be found, is to be able to study further, even if this means working in the daytime and continuing further studies at weekends/ evening school.
This is an example of how CAM works closely with individuals, networking with local people to help improve their quality of life, and trying to find ways of providing meaningful ongoing support.
Posted by CCT AIDS Ministry at 8:13 PM 0 comments
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Helping those without hope
Case Studies from A.Sunan for week 28 May /June 3rd

On month ago, Khun Udom came down from Nonthaburi. He was very sick at the time and collapsed on the train and was taken to the university hospital. He was travelling to see his family because he was aware of his illness and was seeking support. He was in the hospital for about a week before he was discharged prematurely and unable to pay his hospital bill. A Buddhist monk found him in his hospital gown sitting outside of a government building, having been left there with no home or family to go to, and the monk called A.Sanan to help him. A.Sanan was going to take him to a homeless shelter but realizing that he was too sick to live in the shelter A.Sanan took him to a government hospital for care. The man was isolated at the hospital because of his advanced AIDS and his TB. At the hospital, A.Sanan contacted the social welfare department to establish support for his hospital treatment. CAM’s role was to continually visit him in the hospital and provide support as needed. A.Sanan had visited him 4 or 5 times and he was improving and the hospital reported that he would be ready to leave soon. His next destination was to be Bangkok where he would stay in a home run by Catholic Franciscans, as organized by the networking of CAM staff. The hospital had to write a referral letter of discharge in order for the man to go to this home. He went to Bangkok on the bus, with the fare paid for by CAM. He had a more expensive ticket because he needed to be kept separate due to his TB and he needed to lie down due to his weakness and poor health status. The problem within CAM is that there is no budget for this type of care within CAM or in the social welfare system for this type of emergency situation for the extremely poor. CAM provided some but not all of the bus fare because they are also working with the relatives to help care for the man and take some of the responsibility for their relatives care upon themselves, though they would not receive him into their family home. So the family was to provide the rest of the bus fare but CAM provided well over half of the fare. He arrived this past Thursday in Bangkok and is receiving care from the Franciscans. This is an example of how the poor who suffer from HIV/AIDS and sadly their family doesn’t take responsibility for them and CAM takes an active role to try to get the family helping as much as possible. The man has a wife and child in Bangkok but he is divorced from her already. The family is more afraid of the TB than the AIDS. A contact of CAM, working at World Vision is going to help make sure the man receives hospital care in Bangkok as needed. CAM’s involvement has been networking to make sure he can receive the proper medical care and financial support. The time that CAM has helped in Chiang Mai has seen the man advance from not being able to stand to being able to travel on his own to Bangkok, albeit still very sick. It took about a month to be working in this situation to enable him to be in a safe and good place receiving dignified care , through the support and networking of CAM.

In the same week A.Sanan received a referal call about a man called Somchai . The phone call was from a retired policeman known to A.Sanan ,who has a security company and knew that CAM staff helps people in difficulty. Somchai was a previous worker known by the policeman, and he found him lying very sick at his company grounds. Somchai had been taken to a government hospital and he was very sick but the hospital wouldn’t admit him because he is from Burma and any paperwork he had was out of date and invalid. A.Sanan was called because he knew he could help find the man some care. On Wednesday morning, A.Sanan contacted Migrant AIDS Foundation, which works with migrant workers and illegal citizens. A.Sanan gave a phone number to the policeman to follow up since A.Sanan was busy with the first case and couldn’t do much more that day. On Wednesday evening, A.Sanan went to see the Somchai himself. The man was staying in the security area. He had a stiff neck, itchy arms, high fever, sores, and he was clearly confused which is a sign of a serious infection in his head. He had a prescription for medicines from the first hospital that he went to but he couldn’t afford to pay for them so A.Sanan took the prescription and bought the drugs with his own money. Somchai’s illness was so bad that he needed advanced medical care. The hospital weren’t going to take him back so he took him to a hospital that evening in Sansai who are used to taking cases refered by CAM staff and with whom they have a good working relationship. A.Sanan kept in contact over the phone with the hospital and they said he was stabilizing but very sick but then on Friday night he passed away. No one came for his cremation, he had no family or anyone to care for him. This is an example of an increasingly common problem where migrant workers have come to Chiang Mai without any family or financial support, they get sick, and have no one to help them. CAM wants to help more people like this but their emergency home is full much of the time and there is no money in the budget for this type of emergency case , however CAM seeks to find future funding to enable more people to be helped. Hospitals, such as the government hospital at Sansai, where there is a good working relationship with CAM are as supportive as they can be, but they too have to run on a strict budget, but CAM acknowledges the acceptance of places like this.
Posted by CCT AIDS Ministry at 11:13 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Changkham Church Project Camp
Changkham Church Project Camp
In May CAM was invited to participate in and run a children’s programme through the Changkham church group. CAM is actively involved in this project in a number of ways, and was able to provide the training and experience for a Family Camp, held from 29march-1st April in Pattaya. This camp/ retreat enabled time for training in sexual health, general health care, family care and other HIV related issues, all in the context of Christian family care. 30 children attended the camp, 12 of whom were from Baan Nam Jay, the rest from the church project youth group. This was a time for mutual support and encouragement, for learning new attitudes and behaviours and evaluating their level of knowledge and understanding about HIV. The budgeting for this part of the Changkham project work came from the CCT, Thai First church members, and individual registration. Family camps, and retreats such as this for the youth, are valuable times of learning and social interaction, and CAM trusts that future budgeting will enable further activities to take place.
Posted by CCT AIDS Ministry at 8:03 PM 0 comments
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Home care support in Saraphi

2007-09-16T21:14:00.001-07:00

2. Home care support in Saraphi

On 29August three CAM staff met with 10 people living with HIV/AIDS, in one group member’s house for half a day. Over a shared meal, provided by CAM, and the familiarity of their homes, the CAM staff encouraged the group members to be more open about their feelings regarding their life and HIV/AIDS. There were 4 men and 6 women, and all members participated fully and honestly. Firstly they were encouraged to think about the past-how did they feel when they first knew they had HIV? Without exception they all spoke of fear of being ill, shame and fear of dying. They were then encouraged to think and express how they feel now, 1year on from diagnosis, or even 6 years on for some in the group. They said they still have feelings of fear and shame, but less severe. Now they have a sense of hope through better knowledge and understanding about the virus and how to care for themselves. The advent of access to ARV medication has really helped too. Finally they were asked to express what they are concerned about regarding the future. Most spoke about their children and their future-what will happen to them when they become too sick to care for them? And will they stay healthy enough to keep working and supporting their family too? These thoughts and feelings were expressed through verbal expression as well as by use of artwork. When asked to draw what they dreamed about most wanting, they drew houses-many desire to have their own house rather than renting or relying on staying on the floor of a friends house-and those with children want to be able to leave security for their children. Through these explorations of feelings, CAM staff are able to empathize, encourage and together seek ways to ease some of the negative feelings that arise from living with HIV/AIDS.

CAM : Volunteers

2007-09-12T23:58:00.000-07:00

We are Jeff and Jan from Australia, both retired school teachers.Our home church is Tusmore Memorial Uniting Church in Adelaide, SA. This is our second placement in Thailand. In 2004 – 2005, we taught English at Chiengrai Vittyakhome School in Chiengrai.

This time, we are working with CAM. When we came,we did not know exactly what we were going to do, but trusted God for the work he had for us. He had not disappointed us.

We are in the process of making a DVD for CAM to encourage both prayer and financial support. We have marvelled at the doors God has opened.

As we have participated with the CAM staff in the various aspects of their work, we have learnt an amazing amount about the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Thailand. We have found the CAM staff to be multi-skilled, compassionate and hard working. Many, many HIV/AIDS sufferers have been helped spiritually and practically through their loving care.

May God continue to bless the work of this dedicated group.

Life skill training for teenage girls

2007-09-11T23:20:00.000-07:00

CAM staff have also been able to have regular input in the Prince Royal School, another CCT school in Chiang Mai. In the previous 2 years CAM has facilitated life-skill training camps for female students aged around 14 years, especially for students of relatively wealthy Thai families but who are exhibiting social or behavioural difficulties at school. Part of the camp work involves taking these students to see other people living locally to them who are in much greater need materially, yet able to live well socially. They visit places such as orphanages so that the students can hopefully, alongside the life-skill teaching, can come to a better appreciation of their own family and society whilst at the same time appreciating the reality of life for others less fortunate than them. These camps have led to ongoing friendships, and relationship building across the strata of society.
This year CAM held 5 days of training at the school for girls in B.6 , aged 11-12 years. They were divided into 4 groups of around 30-50 students each day and were taught in imaginative and creative ways about general health care including good nutrition, personal hygiene and self-care, as well as training in prevention and protection from AIDS. These are a vulnerable age group, on the verge of teenage years, so this is an important stage to educate about sexuality and safe behaviours. This age group is at a receptive age for teaching about morals and ethics, and to teach about growing self care responsibilities. Through all the teaching attention is paid to promoting and maintaining language that is both non stigmatizing and non discriminatory when talking about HIV/AIDS. On the fifth day CAM worked with a group of around 100 older teenagers who have formed a Christian union in the school. They received similar teaching and were encouraged to be good role models for their peers. In the future more activities may be continued with this particular group, to raise up a peer group of interested and trained students to advocate for CAM and its ministry outreach to young people.

Schools Work at CAM –July/Aug 2007

2007-09-10T02:30:00.000-07:00

For the past 5 years CAM staff have been invited to participate in the education programme of Dara School, a Christian based school under the governance of the CCT. CAM staff provide contextual training in life-skills, and for the sessions they link up with teams of CCT church youth who provide games and entertainment in the day for the students, as a backdrop to the training given by CAM staff. This year the programme was with M.5 year, in the high school, with around 500 students, aged 16-17 years, receiving participatory training in issues such as sexuality, morality-ethics, family life, AIDS protection and prevention and knowledge about AIDS and other STIs. The training took place in July 26-27th, with the students split into 2 groups of around 250, and took place at a Chiang Mai University facility. Over the past 5 years of regular input with this particular age group, CAM staff have noticed a growing trust and acceptance of the CAM staff by individual students, some of whom seek advice and counsel from CAM individually after the meetings, or even 1-2 years later.