The project will provide three years of vital funding for the education of orphans and children infected or affected by HIV in rural communities adjacent to the Thai-Myanmar border with whom Rejoice Charity has worked closely for many years. Without help these very disadvantaged young people are often forced to drop out of education. Providing just a small sum enables the child to attend school whilst allowing them to grow up within their own ethnic community
Thousands of children and young people in northern Thailand from ethnic minorities and hill tribes are infected or have been orphaned by HIV. Their situation places huge burdens on remaining family members who often are already living in poverty and struggling with the additional disadvantage of not having full Thai citizenship. Without help these young people are at risk of missing out on a proper education, being forced to drop out of school or leave their communities and go into an orphanage
The project will provide funding for all the adjuncts needed in order for a child or young person to go to school or college for a three year period. These include books, school bag and equipment, school uniforms, sports kit, school lunch and transport to and from school/college. Without them the young people simply cannot go to school but all too often these apparently small items are simply beyond the means of struggling, impoverished families in rural northern Thailand.
Rejoice Charity's project will allow up to 40 children infected or affected by HIV to attend school or college for three years. It will remove the risk that these young people have to discontinue or entirely miss out on their education and they will be able to stay with their extended families rather than face being sent away. Providing such funding will also be a significant factor in encouraging the child and their family to continue their education up to high school, college or university
