The Covid-19 pandemic is causing problems for the rural poor living with HIV. Many of whom are agricultural pieceworkers moving from job to job . Because of the lack of tourists due to the pandemic, the demand for fresh agricultural products has declined dramatically over the past 18 months or so and many of these workers have become unemployed.

Scholarship Appeal

Rejoice assists over 800 HIV+ patients and their families regularly on a weekly basis. The children of these patients and HIV/Aids orphans are eligible for educational scholarships. Currently 83 children have scholarships through Rejoice. All, in one way or another, are affected by the virus and their extended families are finding it extremely difficult to make ends meet. They have become much poorer and many are finding it difficult to come to terms with the additional hardship and responsibility of living with HIV.

Wiang Haeng Visit

Because of the third wave Covid 19 pandemic and resulting travel restrictions, it hasn’t been possible for Rejoice Charity to arrange visits to HIV patients and schools in Wiang Haeng. This was our first visit for Wiang Haeng for several several months.

On the way to Wiang Haeng the Rejoice team stopped in Chiang Dao to pick up Khun Kanda, HIV volunteer and also a Director of "Network of HIV/Aids in Chiang Mai Province".

Anothai's Predicament

On Tuesday 2st June Rejoice restarted their healthcare visits after the lock-down due to the corvid-19 virus.

The first hospital visited was Chiang Dao Hospital where we met up again with the healthcare volunteers, Chaleo, Kanda and Pon (Lahu translator). The Rejoice Team caught up with the situation with regard to the people living with HIV in Chiang Dao District and the impact on the rural community life the pandemic is having.

Sarapee, Chiang MaI 50140

June 3^rd 2021

              Hello Mr.Lee,

I have good news

Family in Need in Wiang Haeng

Mad Lungpan, 19 years old, lives with her mother (Paeng Lungpan,43) younger brother (San Lungpan, 15) and baby sister (3) in a rented house in Chiang Dao.  Her Grandmother lives in Wiang Haeng. A week ago Mad's mother was admitted to Nakorn Ping Hospital. Chiang Mai Province.  She was seriously ill with pneumonia and complications resulting from her HIV status. She passed away on Saturday, 1st May 2021. 

Ban Pa Kia, Chai Prakan

For the many hill-tribe people and migrant workers who live and work in the mountainous border regions, a trip to the nearest hospital for their regular HIV check-ups can be an arduous journey, especially in the rainy season.

Making a Difference

Frank and Wendy hail from The Netherlands.
When Frank was working for BP (British Petroleum) in West Africa, he and Wendy bought a house near Chiang Mai as a base where Wendy would whilst Frank was away working in the Oil Industry. BP had a scheme whereby they match donations their employees make to an approved charity. Frank used this to enable donations to be made for Rejoice.

Every Tuesday, on the way north to Mae Ai, Chai Prakan or Wiang Haeng, the Rejoice team stops by Mae Ho Day Care Centre near Chiang Dao to drop off provisions donated by Carol Foo, a member of "Friends of Rejoice Singapore"

Sri Dong Yen School

The COVID-19 outbreak has left many deaths and illnesses in many countries. In Thailand thanks to an early implementation of a curfew and interprovincial lockdown, the effects of the spread of the virus were minimized. 

Kasemsri is 55years old and is HIV positive. She lives with her daughter (Pan), who is HIV negative, in Sankampeang, about 20 km from Chiang Mai City.
Her husband died more than 25 years ago, because of Aids.

Thank You Carol and Family

Every Tuesday, on their way to the northern border, the Rejoice pick-up truck can be seen making a small detour, to deliver essential provisions to Mae Ho day care nursery.