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‘I don’t expect much. Whatever will be, just leave it as it is. Love is the greatest thing. With a little love you can do a great deal.’ Mae, HelpAge International volunteer Senior carer Mae provides support to older people and their families affected by HIV/AIDS in ThailandMae, 67, is from the Sansai district in Thailand. She is an older carer and volunteer, and participates in HelpAge International's project to provide community support for older people affected by HIV/AIDS in northern Thailand. Mae had four children. Two of her sons became HIV positive. Her older son found out he was infected in 1992 and died soon afterwards. When he was ill, Mae cared for him but found it hard to accept that he had AIDS. "When my first son had AIDS, it wasn't a topical issue in society, so not a lot of people had information about caring for people with HIV/AIDS. I didn’t have any special knowledge. I just cared as a mother who loves her children. But the pastor came to visit and gave me information and advice on caring for him." Now Mae is caring for her son, Daeng, [both pictured above] who was diagnosed HIV–positive in 1998. He has been ill, but is now in fairly good health. Mae has joined the older people’s club in the neighbourhood and, with some of the other members, she makes home visits to other families affected by HIV/AIDS. " Five years ago, people were uncomfortable and scared about HIV/AIDS, but now they are OK. I share my experience and talk to others about HIV/AIDS and how it's transmitted. "When I visit affected families where grandparents are caring for grandchildren, their financial problems make me feel sad. They can’t afford school fees and school uniforms for the children." Mae's own family is also feeling the strain financially. The household includes Mae, Daeng, Daeng’s partner and a friend who has AIDS and who has no parents. Mae's other son and daughter live close by. "They support us and give us food, but no money because they only have enough for themselves." Although the Government health card covers most healthcare expenses for people living with AIDS, basic household needs still need to be paid for – food, water and electricity bills. Mae used to work in the market, selling fruit and vegetables. Now she stays at home and tends a vegetable garden to feed the household. Daeng still does light work with the pastor and the Clear Sky Project, a local group of people living with AIDS, but this does not bring in much money. Mae hopes that her relatives will continue to visit and support her but she doesn’t take anything for granted. "I don’t expect much. Whatever will be, just leave it as it is. Love is the greatest thing. With a little love you can do a great deal."
HelpAge International, PO Box 32832, London N1 9ZN. Telephone: 020 7278 7778. Website: www.helpage.org.
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