UNITE FOR CHILDREN UNITE AGAINST AIDS

July 15, 2007

Fighting poverty and AIDS

My last visit to Savannakhet province was two months ago, that's why I looked forward to seeing the project team of the Care and Support for People Living with HIV and AIDS. Savannakhet is located in the southern part of Laos which has been hard hit by the AIDS epidemic. This is the province where UNICEF supported the country's first ever self-help group for people living with HIV and AIDS. During my trip, I had a chance to spend time with 2 families affected by HIV and AIDS.

The first family we visited was that of little Noi, a six year old HIV positive boy who lives with his grandparents. Noi's health looks good and his grandfather, uncle Inn, is still in good health. Although Noi's grandfather is over sixty years old he has to take care of his two nieces, nephews, teenage sons and two disabled daughters. During my visit, uncle Inn sadly told me about his daughter, Noi's mother, who died from AIDS two years ago. She had fled to Thailand and was a refugee for nearly 15 years. She met her first husband in a refugee camp. The couple lived for a while in Thailand close to the Lao border. After her first husband died, Noi's mother married a Thai man and gave birth to Noi. It was only when she found out that she was HIV- positive that she decided to return home. However, by that time, she already had AIDS. The family was happy to have their daughter back but at the same time they were sad to learn about her disease.
 
I was impressed with uncle Inn. As a Tuk-Tuk taxi driver, he earns about 2-3 dollars per day. He told me that he has fought poverty all his life but now he is faced with his biggest challenge. At an age where most people can retire and take things easy, uncle Inn is still working hard to fend not only for his young nephews and nieces whose parents are illegally working in Thailand, but also of little Noi. Uncle Inn is not willing to give up the fight. Noi is the only tie he has left with his beloved daughter and he has vowed to do his best for the boy.

I was very glad to see that Noi's grandfather is mentally strong. The project may be able to help in some areas but a family's love and support is just as important in the fight against AIDS. Like other children living with HIV, Noi needs all the support he can have from his family.

The next family we visited was the family of Say and Pou – a young couple living with HIV. We arrived at their small hut which was located near the forest. The family is very poor. Say and Pou told me they met each other in Thailand where they worked illegally for 6 years but were not able to save. The couple decided to return to Laos when the Thai government strengthened its policy on illegal foreign migration and because of their poor health caused by HIV. The husband, Say, is currently a manual worker. When hired, he earns up to $3 a day but it's not every day that he finds work. His wife Pou is a laborer, peeling up to 70 kg of garlic everyday and earns between $1 to $2. At present, the young couple receives ARV medication and their health is improving. Pou is also receiving treatment for tuberculosis. The couple has a little girl who is now five years old and is fortunately HIV negative. That's why Pou and Say work so hard: they want their child to have a better life. Their dream is that their girl will get an education. They themselves could not complete their primary education and they would like for her to at least complete high school.

I think that with external support, that dream can be fulfilled! At present, besides supporting the monthly group meeting, travel costs for ARV treatment and home visits, UNICEF also supports extra income generating activities and school grants. Say and Pou told me they were one of the couple who received support for extra income generating activities. With this small additional fund they will do their best to earn more and make their dream come true.