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.
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