UNITE FOR CHILDREN UNITE AGAINST AIDS

November 5, 2007

Under the mango tree – a field trip to Savannakhet

I went to Savannakhet province this month to monitor the support we provide to poor families affected by HIV and AIDS. UNICEF is currently providing children with the most expensive part of their ‘return to school’ – their school shoes and uniforms, as well as bags, text books, pencils, rulers and so on.

It had been seven months since I last visited Noi who is HIV-positive and his grandfather who is a Tuk-Tuk driver. Noi had turned seven and I was wondering if he had started school yet. When I arrived at their place, Noi, in faded kiddie ‘army camouflage’ gear, was happily riding his bicycle around the mango tree in the front yard. It was evening time and I sat down with Inh - Noi’s grandfather, and all the aunts, uncles and cousins who live with them in their tiny two-room house. Looking at Noi, I can see that his health has improved. He looks more active than before. He still doesn’t speak very much but he seems happy and content.

Inh told me that this year, Noi is studying in grade one. The project has provided Noi with school uniforms and supplies for his first year at school. I am told that Noi is quite a studious little boy and looks forward to going to school every day. At school, no one knows Noi is HIV-positive. I hope it will stay that way because I am not yet sure how he will be accepted. The project is working closely with the Ministry of Education, Social Welfare and Ministry of Health to promote and protect the rights of children living with HIV both in schools and in communities. To prepare for the increasing number of children living with HIV enrolling in primary school and lower secondary schools, UNICEF has helped the Government draft a Children’s Law which ensures HIV- positive children’s right to an education without discrimination. This has now been passed and will be promoted and explained in all public and private schools throughout the country.

As I stood up to take leave, Inh called Noi to come to us. The two saw me off at the car and went happily back to their home. The weather is colder now in Savannakhet and I was glad that Noi had long pants and shoes to wear to school. I was tired from the eight hour car trip but the visit to Noi’s house has made it worthwhile.