Bangkok Post - December 11, 2008
Anjira Assavanonda

After contracting HIV/Aids in 2002, Lue, 35, felt his life was hopeless. His health was failing and his neighbour stopped talking to him. He had difficulty earning a living, and no one lent him money, fearing he could never repay the debt.

With all the miseries, Lue felt life had no meaning until a micro credit loan scheme for HIV-positive people bought him a new life, with renewed hope.

The scheme, known as "Positive Partnership Programme", provides micro-credit loans for HIV-positive people who partner up with people who are not infected to start small businesses and other generating occupations to support themselves and their families.

It is a collaboration of Pfizer Thailand Foundation and the Population and Community Development Association (PDA) which aims to build financial independence for people living with HIV/Aids, as well as to reduce social stigma against them.

"The programme makes me feel my life is more valued. From a person who lost all hopes, now I have a career and can live on my own," says Lue.

Lue contracted HIV because of his risky nightlife when he was a construction worker in Bangkok. Learning about his infection, he returned to his hometown in San Kamphaeng district in Chiang Mai. His health began to deteriorate. His weight dropped to 30kg, and because of the disease, most of his friends are gone.

Worse, he had difficulty earning a living. He wanted a fund to set up his small wood work business, but no banks approved him loans. The village fund also rejected him, fearing he would die before paying the debt.

"It was as if my life had fallen apart, and I had nothing left. Wherever I walk, people disgusted me. Some days I felt so hopeless that I didn't want to go home. Temple was then my shelter. I lay awake at night, blaming myself for all the worst and mistakes I had done," he says.

It was until he met his HIV-positive wife that the man became inspired. He wished to build up a family with her, and his hope was fulfilled when he was introduced to the Positive Partnership Programme. As of the programme's condition, he pairs up with his cousin to apply for the loan. They got 8,000 baht each which Lue spent for buying a lathe machine and additional working tools for his wood work. His main material is mango wood, which he makes into home decorations and colourful accessories such as bracelets.

His business is quite good, making his monthly earning stable at around 15,000 baht. He paid the debt for the first loan, and the second sum of 12,000 baht was approved, which he uses to expand his business.

Now Lue can live on his own. His neighbours, being more educated now, no longer treat him with disrespect. Lue bought a car, which he occasionally lends to his neighbours when someone in their families get sick and has to be sent to hospitals.

"I feel good to help others in the same community, and they are kind to me, too. The neighbours often give me some food they cook for the evening, and when there're parties or events in the community, they don't forget me. Despite my infection, they already accept me as part of the community," Lue says.

The person who persuades Lue to join the programme is Tui, 43, who is chairperson of the San Kamphaeng Ruam Jai HIV-positive network.

Tui contracted HIV from her late husband in 1996. Although she has been healthy, Tui is determined to help others who have similar fate with her. She set up San Kamphaeng Ruam Jai group in 2002 to empower HIV-positive members to survive and support one another.

Like Lue, Tui was once rejected by the community, and was desperate. She resigned from a garment factory for fear she would be disliked or shunned. She wanted to make a living from her sewing skills but had been no funds to start her own business.

When the Positive Partnership Programme was launched in the district, it was her only hope. The micro-credit loan she was granted bought her new life. She bought a sewing machine and started her business at home, making a variety of designed cloth products, such as blankets, carpets, slippers, bags, purses and tissue cases.

After her business established, Tui urged other group members to join the programme. For those who could not find partners, she help find partners for them.

"Most members pair up with their relatives who have understanding and support. But for some, it takes efforts to assure the non-infected partner that they don't have to shoulder any financial burden in case the HIV positive person dies," says Tui.

She also teaches sewing to both the infected and non-infected who are interested. The programme has proven to be a success, as it brings a better life to all. For HIV-positive people, a secure life brings self-esteem and happiness, which also results in their improved health.

"Now we know what we're living for. Our quality of life has improved, so has our mental and physical health. Also, with better self-healthcare knowledge, many live like normal people," she says.

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