J595 Ban Meata Community Program

The Situation

Ban Meata Community Program primarily focuses on the need for care for orphans/vulnerable children(including HIV/AIDS positive children), the need for improved quality and provision of education, and the need to develop in-country income towards improving sustainability for House of Mercy Foundation in Phetchabun, Phrae and Khon Kaen areas of Thailand.

The Objectives

1. Residential care is provided for 111 children that have been orphaned or abandoned due to death of parents and/or rejection by extended family due to stigma associated with HIV/AIDS or other reasons. An additional 21 young people who grew up in this Program and are now studying for tertiary qualifications will be supported to the extent of transport, education expenses and board.
2. The project will invest in the education of disadvantaged children by developing the School at Phrae. It will seek government registration and student sponsorships in order to ensure ongoing access to education for children within residential care and the extended community. Teachers will be provided with training in order to ensure the quality of education.
3. Development of sources of local financial and in-kind support to decrease reliance on offshore funding. These include farming activities in Phetchabun and Phrae, the sewing centre, and improving the capacity of the Thai administration offices to undertake support tasks currently undertaken by paid staff in Australia.