Mandate: To create a loving home environment for poor children and their mothers living with HIV/AIDS. In addition, to provide a high level of homecare for infected mothers and children who are able to live at home in their community.

Current Home residents:  Over 60 children, 3 mothers

Origins/History
In 1993 the HDF opened an Adult AIDS hospice and began its AIDS educational programs to the poor throughout Bangkok. In 1997, we opened our Mothers and Children's Home and began a comprehensive homecare program.

How We Care

All mothers and children in our family are ensured of the following:

• A loving home environment in Mercy Centre.
• Dedicated teams of nurses and auxiliary health care staff on duty 24 hours a day.
• Emotional support and special training to help mothers care for their own children living with HIV.
• Educating the children. All of our children attend school. A computer training center, art school, and playground are also on the premises of Mercy.
• School for all children. (Almost all children are enrolled in private Buddhist or Catholic schools to avoid discrimination.)
• Field trips, cultural explorations, and holidays for the children.
• An opportunity for the children to play and develop as normal children, equal to their peers.

Additional Program Parameters

• Preparing mothers and their children for the transition from Mercy Centre back to their communities, including counsel, job placement, and zero-interest loans for housing.
• Educating the surrounding community to reduce discrimination
• Ensuring access to government hospitals and providing transportation, logistics, documentation, and paperwork.

Challenges

• Teaching our children about the meaning of their HIV status
• Preparing our children to lead independent lives as young adults outside of Mercy Centre.

Our Growing Family
Our doors are always open, and our family is always growing. Our home fosters acceptance and empowerment. Our children have experienced great loss and suffering that often defies comprehension, yet their joy in life and love of friendship are truly extraordinary.

Related video:
Thai Children Given a Chance Against AIDS

Related Mercy Centre HIV/AIDS Programs:

Education/Outreach 

Home-based Care

Bridge-of-Hope Caring Centre