Higher Education reduces HIV stigma in Thailand

Dear Family, Friends, and Colleagues:

As we exit the COVID pandemic, we are struggling to meet the needs of our HIV program because of the competing needs of dealing with HIV Stigma and communities surviving COVID. Each focus is important to address, though HIV is engrained in the social norms, which requires a long-term strategy, whereas COVID is a health issue that will, in the short-term, resolve itself once the economy turns around. Every indication is that the economy in Thailand will be back to normal by 2023.

All schools in Thailand are now open, and children have returned to in-class learning. Our focus as we move forward is to work closely with the schools, teachers, and children to provide the best opportunity to maximize the educational experience. This initiative is to create a strong educational foundation that will give our children the tools necessary to fulfill their dream goals.

Providing a solid educational foundation will be the initial step in our children's development. Our objective is to develop an age-appropriate approach to introducing the concept of the stigma of HIV to our younger children.

Individuals living with HIV, through no fault of their making, are challenged to deal with society's shortcomings. We aim to educate our children living with HIV, encouraging them to be strong, vibrant individuals who refuse to be defined by how society views them but by defining who they choose to be. The goal is to demonstrate that living with HIV does not describe the individual; they would be defined by their character and the level of empathy they demonstrate to others.

This approach will create a guideline that will enable our project to be goal-oriented. Reducing the stigma of living with HIV is a long-term approach to creating systematic societal change. To reach this outcome, your continued financial support is so important.  

Yours truly,

Kenneth Miller

ExecutiveManager

Life Home Project Foundation