Staff, residents and hospice patients came together at the SVD’s Mother of Perpetual Help Centre in Thailand this week to celebrate Christmas with a shared meal and fellowship.

The Mother of Perpetual Help Centre, located in Nong Bua Lamphu, in the North-East of Thailand, about 100km from the Mekong River on the Thai-Laos border, works to make a difference in the life of people living with HIV/AIDS. The Ban Mae Marie Home for Teenagers began as a home to care for orphans of AIDS, but has now been opened up for care of non-HIV-related teenagers and the elderly.

The new Governor of Nong Bua Lamphu in Thailand paid a visit to the SVD’s Mother of Perpetual Help Centre and Villa Marie Hospice recently – to celebrate a special birthday in his family.

Br Damien Lunders SVD says it is a common Thai custom on the birthday of a person, and in this case the wife of the Governor, to take food and gifts to a Centre such as the hospice or a children’s home.