Jeremy Berkoff RIP

 We have received the sad news that Jeremy Berkoff passed away on 3rd March 2023.  Jeremy was a stalwart donor to Rejoice,his monthly contributions and generosity to Rejoice and our beneficiaries will be greatly missed.

Gita's Visit

Gita, from Westerlaken Foundation in Bali, Indonesia visited Rejoice to see how the charity operates with the view to offering future financial assistance.

The following articles show how, by means of networking and co-operation of volunteers themselves HIV+ve,, patients living in rural areas are reached.

Songkran 2023

In keeping with this historical tradition, on Wednesday, April 12, the "Su Kwan Doi Luang Chiang Dao Club" (a club for people living with HIV) organized a water pouring ceremony for doctors and nurses who are responsible for taking care of people infected with HIV at Chiang Dao Hospital. Rejoice was also invited to attend.

Baan Mai Samakee E&P

As the devastating effects of the covid-19 pandemic decrease, life in the rural villages of the north are slowly returning to the pre-pandemic norm of 2020. However, much has changed during the past 3 years. The tourism industry collapsed leading to the exodus of thousands of migrant workers.

Pitoon's Story

Pitoon contracted HIV at birth from his mother, a Shan refugee from Myanmar. Fortunately, his mother had a work permit and was able to receive free antiretroviral medicine for herself and Pitoon.

Ban Kae Noi, Lahu village on Myanmar border

The purpose of the trip was to visit Ban Kae Noi where 8 HIV patients are receiving treatment and taking antiretroviral drugs. There are those who have been taking antiretroviral drugs for a long time and others just entering the treatment process.

Poy Sang Long Festival

The festival is essentially Shan or Tai Yai and means “ordaining the beloved sons”. Boys of 12 years and older enter the temple to be ordained as novice monks. They will learn the tenets of Buddhist teaching and the self-discipline required of a monk. After being ordained, they will stay in the monastery for a time that can vary from a week to many months or more

Friends in Singapore

Rejoice is very fortunate to have a group of donors in Singapore. The group is led by Wight Wong.

Individuals within the groups help Rejoice in various ways such as donating to the operating costs, sponsoring students, providing essential provisions including formula milk, providing second-hand clothing (especially baby clothing) and fund raising by selling hand made craftwork.

Education and Prevention at Chiang Dao Compassionate Home.

On Saturday, 11th February 2023, Rejoice together with HIV volunteers from Chiang Dao hospital were invited to give a talk to the children of Chiang Dao Compassionate Home, a Christian Bording school catering to poor,needy families.

The objective of the meeting was to introduce the children to reproductive health and sexually transmitted diseases and how to prenent them. The meeting to take place in a non-threatening, relaxed, environment with all children hearig the same story.

By BERTIL LINTNER 7 February 2023

On a sunny summer afternoon in June 1966, a small Volkswagen Beetle made its way towards Schloss Laudon, an old castle operated as a luxury hotel in Austria’s capital Vienna. The iron gates to the estate were closely guarded by the Austrian police, but they let the vehicle pass since it carried diplomatic numberplates from the Royal Thai Embassy in Vienna.

Lunch Time

The following photos are typical of the daily lunctime at the Mae Ho daycare.

The lunch is Kao tom moo (rice soup with pork)

Khun Rath says thank you to Rejoice for their Tuesday deliveries of provisions for the children.

Warm Clothing from Karen

Karen Lee from Singapore recently sent 4 boxes of clothing and children’s toys to Rejoice for distribution to families in the communities close to the Myanmar border.

Last week we started distributing the clothing during our routine visits to Mae Ai, Chai Prakan and Chiang Dao Districts.  There are many Hill tribe communities in these areas and at this time of year the temperature drops dramatically at nighttime often to below 5 degrees C.