Thailand has a large AIDS problem, in part because of the sex industry centred in Bangkok. Although there has been a good response to prevention campaigns, many people are now sick or dying. Alan and Maelynn Ellard have been working in Thailand for over 30 years, originally sent by OMF. For more than a decade they have been pioneering Christian responses to AIDS, encouraging churches and Christian organisations in Thailand as well as in India, Cambodia and elsewhere.

Many people came to their Bangkok team for help because they were sick or had loved ones who are ill. An increasing amount of their time has been spent with those who have been recently bereaved. They also helped set up a second community-based team, in central Thailand, operating from Manorom hospital. They have seen many encouragements and the work has often had a very significant effect on their wider families and friends. In Singburi province the team and volunteers are visiting over 100 families whose lives are being affected by AIDS. They are also running monthly support groups in 6 government hospitals acros the region.

House of Grace

The ACET Thailand team have been concerned for some time about a growing number of young children whose parents have died of AIDS and are abandoned or in terrible situations. In response to this, land was secured and buildings erected to provide a loving, caring environment for the children to grow up in. House of Grace is an independent organisation, run under the umbrella of ACET Thailand.

The children are being housed in an abandoned school and House of Grace urgently needs to build proper homes so that the children can be cared for in a more family-like environment.

It costs just £8,000 to build a wonderful new home for a group of children - the land has already been bought. We need to build a cluster of these houses - at least 10, together with other much-needed facilities for education and recreation..

House of Grace - orphans in Thailand appeal

Alan and Maelynn Ellard have been working in Thailand for more than three decades and for the last 15 years have devoted themselves to caring for those affected by AIDS - both adults in their homes, and orphans. Sadly many children are totally abandoned by relatives and other villagers when parents die from AIDS and the Ellards have found themselves caring for an increasing number. Ideally they would be in their own homes and villages, but for these children that is totally impossible. They have nothing and desperately need help. In addition to that, they are bereaved, and some have HIV themselves.

House of Grace has been set up to help support and care for these children.

The children are currently living in an abandoned school but land has been boguht and we now need £8,000 per home to build new family units.

Streams of Blessing

A very important part of the ACET Thailand community care programmes has been the creation of support groups for infected women, called Streams of Blessing. Women help each other find hope, personal encouragement, inner strength and spiritual comfort - at a time of great personal vunerability. All who visit this wonderful place cannot fail to be touched by the loving care and affection that these children receive.

GIVE NOW TO ACET THAILAND

Samaritan's Purse are partners with ACET Thailand and support the House of Grace programme.