Volunteer Positive, an international service organization comprised of people living with and affected by HIV, has assembled its first group of volunteers. The group is in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Here are their stories of working with sex workers, at-risk youth, children orphaned by HIV and other groups.


By Jerry B.


I wanted to write about my experiences prior to my departure to Chiang Mai, Thailand and my experiences after my arrival.  Having prior traveling abroad experience, I didn’t have the usual anxiety that might arise from this sort of travel experience.  I did a lot of reading concerning Thailand that was provided on the Volunteer Positive web site and attempted to familiarize myself with the culture and history.  I knew the climate would be warmer than Seattle, so I packed shorts and tee shirts, but I’ve had to buy more. 

Preparing travel arrangements were bit confusing for me especially when making the reservation from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and the time change difference. That being said, I made them on the wrong day, which ended up costing me.  Bangkok airlines said they would refund my error, since they could see that arrangements where made for the next day, but I would have to file a claim in order to do so, I have not done that yet. 

My 1st day consisted of meeting the staff at Christian Aids Ministry (CAM) I sat down at a round table and gave a reader digest version of “my story” then my NGO Brett immediately have to leave for a meeting, so I engaged with a staff member named Mit and we headed off for the detention facility to see if the agency could aid the person in police custody.  The incident occurred when he purchased a motorcycle from someone he trusted, turns out it was a stolen and he was arrested for theft. We made 4 trips to the detention headquarters trying to get a phone number to contact his family in Malaysia, hoping to get the 400,000 BHT required for his release.  Having the knowledge of our own detention facilities, prepared me for what I thought might take place. 

Well out of all of the going back and forth to HQ we were finally was able to talk to the man through a thick wall of Plexiglas and by phone that contained a lot of static.  What I could understand is that he wanted out, of course he would, but his family had no access to the type of funds required.  I felt helpless as I often do in situations similar to this. Apparently his case will be reviewed again in one month.  I felt sorry for him and wished I could magically help him to get out, anything.  Anyway, the process took the entire day.  In Seattle I provide pastoral care for youth in detention, though the atmosphere is similar, this was an exceptional experience for me. 

The next day I was taken to an emergency shelter called Baan Sabaay their focus is to provide care for post-acute illness recovery time.  Most of the clients have no extended family or friends to assist them.  The facility uses a holistic approach and offers an array of services to individuals not recognized as Thai citizens.  I then visited a Thai hospital called Saraphi and engaged with some orphaned children infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.  I serve professionally back home as a hospice chaplain, so I was honored to be with these people navigating with similar situations.  Today is a rather calm day and I was given my own computer to use while at the agency.  CAM asked me to “blog” my daily events on their web site, which I am thrilled to do.  I’m excited about what is yet to unfold.

I wanted to add one of the biggest reasons for coming on this trip was it encouraged me to explore opportunities that existed only in my imagination. Coming here would open doors that always seemed shut.  I can be out and open about my life and share my story with the people I care about and who care about me.  Being diagnosed, made me re-examine life and implement changes that have resulted in living a new spiritual life~Identifying myself as having HIV always seemed too risky.  I wanted to show I’m alive, despite being told I would most likely not survive. My life has meaning and purpose.  Halllelujah!!  I’m proud of what I’ve become.

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For more information about Volunteer Positive, click here.