Health update - I am still struggling. I made it to all today's events but I am now off all food. Don't worry. I had some pedialyte (thanks Genny). I am hoping for toast tomorrow.
Other update - we move to Bangkok on Friday morning. Not sure how long I will be without internet connection. I do know that we won't be to our rooms until late on Friday. This could cause a gap in my posts.
HIV/AIDs education and prevention: An Interfaith Community Response
Today we met with leader's from Islam, Christianity and Buddhism to discuss their response to HIV/AIDs in Thailand. The have come together to form a network called The Interfaith Network on HIV/AIDs in Thailand (INHAT).
Some background on Thailand (given from handout today):
est. population in 2010 67,089,500
est number living with HIV/AIDs end of 2009 530,000
adults (+15) 520,000
women (+15) 210,000
There is approximately 1.3% of the adult population living with HIV/AIDS. Thailand has been very successful in lowering the new infection rate through the years. In 1991 about 150,000 news cases were confirmed. In 2003 that rate had been lowered to 19,000.
The Thai government was very aggressive in providing funds and the education to the population to get a handle on this disease. However, in recent years the government has cut funding dramatically.
If you are a Thai national (with ID card) you have free access to HIV/AIDs drugs and health services. However, there is only limited access to health care migrant workers and those without ID cards.
Each gave their faith response to prevention. Only the Buddhist monk had no problem with condoms education. Islam and Christianity were more abstinence based education when coming from a religious aspect.
The push for HIV/AIDs education starts in junior high school (around age 12). It used to be high school but they realized that was too late to start the prevention programs.
This groups vision is
We, the Interfaith Network on HIV and AIDs Network on HIV and AIDS are united in spirit and actions to bring about a society that is free of HIV and AIDS through prevention, care, support, advocacy and development that is liberating so that each may enjoy the fullness of life in accordance to the tenet's of one's own faith.
We also met with a women who is living with HIV/AIDs. Her story was inspiring. She took us through her struggle to accept her diagnosis, keeping healthy and being a sole provider for her family. I really liked her motto: Be active to earn money, keep saving, have good friendships and live a sustainable life.
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| The gang waiting for the presentation. |
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| Still waiting for presentation. |
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| The panel |
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| This gang of cows comes over to campus each afternoon to eat the grass. I don't know where they live since everyone likes to let their cows run free. Today, these cows decided to follow me to 7eleven. |
Hope you are feeling better!!! Stay away from uncooked foods and fruits and all native water sources. These are the things that usually catch-up with travelers. I really love the women's take on life, she sounds really in touch with who she is and her environment.
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