Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2001. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bangkok Post - August 14, 2001
The Public Welfare Department and non-governmental organisations were seeking help from grassroots-level administrations and local communities in lifting the spirits of these children.
Varalak Chaimuangcheun, a northern activist, said community support came largely in the form of food and money, but not the love and warmth these orphans were hungry for.
She said children whose parents died of Aids could turn aggressive or shut themselves off from the outside world.
If these children sensed their own communities were indifferent to their plight, they could become desperate and make "a big mistake" by mixing with the wrong sort of people.
Families and communities must help them develop the strength to deal with their grief. Also, they should work out concrete plans to help these children continue to live a normal life after their parents abandoned them or passed away, she said.
"They must understand that abandoned Aids victims, as long as they remain alive, do not necessarily have to be alone. Let's make them happy," Ms Varalak said.
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