If you have a charity, cause, project or anything of a non profit nature which you would like Citylife to feature please contact us anytime and we will write up about it in our Helping Hand page, which aims to draw the attention of our readers to worthy causes in the hope of making a difference.



House of Love
If you have a desire to help Thailand's hill-tribe children or children suffering from HIV/AIDS you should take time to visit the House of Love.


Background
The House of Love first opened its doors in 1994 as a shelter for hill-tribe women who had been sold into prostitution and subsequently contracted HIV/AIDS. Other women at the shelter were forced to leave their villages and families once it was discovered that they had contracted HIV/AIDS and had no place else to go. These women were poor and because of their status and condition received little help or medical attention, forcing them to live with their children on the streets. This situation prompted missionary Kim Brown (American) and Amnuaypon Jirakun (Karen), co-founders of HPTP (Health Project for Tribal People, 1991), to set up a shelter for abandoned women and children who in their suffering have lost all hope and will to live. In their view, these women deserve to be taken care of and given the opportunity to learn about the unconditional love and understanding of God to all his children. The House of Love project would provide these HIV-infected women and their children with a stable environment in which to live and die with dignity.


Activities
In the first 3 years of operation the House of Love consisted of mostly young women between ages 15-22, plus several mothers with children. Some of their activities included sewing, knitting, card-making and designing Christmas ornaments. These handicrafts were then sold to visitors and churches by the staff and volunteers to generate income for the women and the House of Love. In addition to these daily activities which were carried out in a warm family atmosphere, the women were given time to enjoy their weekends and special holidays when the house usually organises a big party. To women who have never experienced any real love and affection in their lives, they were especially excited and curious with the strange custom of exchanging gifts on Christmas day and celebrating birthdays. The staff at House of Love explained to them the importance of these special days as well as the act of giving and receiving. Then in years 4, 5 and 6, more mothers came to stay briefly at House of Love with their children before passing away – leaving their child in the care of the House of Love and HPTP. These children all received primary health care, went to school, learned their culture from HPTP (one of few organizations to have an all hill-tribe team), enjoyed special holidays and birthdays, and worshipped together every Sunday.


The Children
Today, House of Love continues to house those who are affected by HIV/AIDS but also helps women and children who have experienced physical and mental abuse. Each woman and child has his or her own story and some of the current residents are the sons and daughters of women who have since passed away at the House of Love. Other residents are born to HIV-positive mothers living outside the House of Love and some of these children were born HIV-infected. House of Love also includes housing children referred by the Social Welfare Department. These children have been severely abused or have been living on the streets. They have come alone without their parents, most affected by AIDS, and all with much trauma in their young lives. Many women and children who have lived at the House of Love have become Christians after experiencing God's love as it is expressed through the other residents and staff. It gives them hope, a sense of worth, and for those with HIV/AIDS the chance to die in peace. Nirada (11), who is HIV-positive and one of the longest serving members of HOL, says she misses her mother a lot but thanks God everyday for the blessings of the House of Love and prays that it remains strong for many more years. 'Dao' (10 and also HIV-positive) on the other hand prays for God to watch over the family that has abandoned her, and to protect her friends and her home at the House of Love. For these girls and many more, the House of Love is the only family they have and would never want to see it disappear.


Giving a Helping Hand
The House of Love and HPTP are projects of the Thailand Karen Baptist Convention. They are not funded by the government and accept donations from the public. The House of Love currently rents the home it is using, but hopes to build in the future. They welcome financial gifts for that project as well. For more information regarding making a donation or contributing to the Building fund, please contact: House of Love, P. O. Box 29, Chiang Mai 50000 Thailand; tel. 053-304659; e-mail info@hptp.org; or check our website at www.hptp.org