Thailand: Catholic project offers hope for teenagers born with HIV

Teep

Teenage boys with living with HIV in Thailand, are nowing grow their own food and feeding themselves at Sarnelli House, a project run by the Redemptorist Fathers and funded by the Thai Children's Trust. Last year the Trust raised funds through the Big Give, to buy a plot of farmland for the boys, which they have called Jomp's Farm. Here, boys like Teep, who is 16, will be able to grow rice and vegetables, keep chickens, ducks and pigs and pick fresh fruit off the banana and mango trees.

The land also has a pond so that the boys have a source of fresh fish to add to their already nutritious diet. There are also plans to build houses so that boys like Teep, who would otherwise be unable to get a job and live independently, can live on the land they farm.

Teep, who now lives at the Jan and Oscar House for teenage boys with HIV, is an orphan. When he was younger he was very shy and was often teased at school. Now he has come out of his shell and has a fascination with trucks and tractors. When the fish pond was being dug earlier this year he would spend weekends sitting and watching the diggers at work. He made friends with the drivers and was able to sit in the front of the truck and see them at work - an experience which made him very happy! He now relishes the chance to get stuck in and play his part to keep the orphanage self-sufficient.

For more information on how you can support boys like Teep see: http://thaichildrenstrust.org.uk/help/