Feeding orphans of HIV+ Burmese women

We are still in a holding pattern due to the pandemic.  As of October 2, the SAW (Social Action for Women) orphanage has 127 children in its care.  Due to financial constraints, they are unable to accept more orphans at this time.

22 of the children have been vaccinated and all the staff are now fully vaccinated.

Most of the students are enrolled in Thai schools. At this time school is on-line only, as Mae Sot is stil a Covid red zone and in-class learning is not permitted. One benefit of remote learning has been that the children have had more time to work on their vegetable gardens, growing corn, mushrooms, squash, and beans. Mushrooms are sold to generate income.

SAW's reunification program to connect orphans with family members in Myanmar has been adversely affected not only by the pandemic but also by the military coup in February of 2021.  At this time, travel between the two countries is restricted.

Thr MY STORY photo project Board has agreed to send $1000 to be used to supplement the children's diet. 

We are still hoping to return to Mae Sot, Thailand sometime in 2022.

14 months and counting! I am still in Canada and Ko Myo and Aye Aye Mar, director of SAW, are on the ground in Mae Sot, Thailand. They continue to take good care of the orphanage and are unfailingly optimistic.

Thailand is undergoing its third Covid19 wave, and Mae Sot is under lockdown.  This is particularly difficult as school is about to start and it's rainy season! Add to this the stress from the continuing unrest in Myanmar, where many of the orphans have relatives. The good news is that at this writing all the orphans are healthy.

The small light I see at the end of that long tunnel is that Thailand is finally vaccinating its citizens!  To date 5.11 million people have received at least one jab.  We have seen how vaccinations can dramatically slow infections and hospitalizations, so let's hope for a smooth and speedy roll-out.

The MY STORY photo project is still in a holding pattern, but I are beginning to hope that I can return to Thailand in early 2022. 

In the meantime, Ko Myo, Aye Mar, and I thank you for your continuing support.

Susan Tileston

Director