25 Years of Witnessing to the Word in Thailand 217 Meanwhile, back out in the community, the SVD has for nine years been supporting the needy children of HIV-affected and poor families with monthly scholarships, thanks to donations from families in France. “Currently 40 children of varying ages are receiving support with 22 Euros monthly to help with transportation to and from school,” Br Damien says. “The participants will gather together quarterly to write their thank-you letters which are translated in Bangkok and forwarded to their sponsor in France. Holy Childhood in Rome have given support as well each year, enabling needy children to receive school clothing and school supplies.” And, for almost 20 years now, AIDS education has been one of the priorities of Mother of Perpetual Help Centre, with up to 20 schools in one of the six districts participating in the training each year with the hope of bringing about knowledge of AIDS and a decrease in its spread. “Over the years, teachers have been involved in the training as well, and more recently parents and caretakers have been involved, so as to give parents an understanding of AIDS as well,” Br Damien says. “Our AIDS education program as had starts and stops this past year because of COVID, so our 2020 project has not yet been completed, but we hope to resume and complete the project soon.”
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