Care of HIV-infected and affected children.

Most HIV-infected children are under six years of age and poor some of them having been abandoned. Children with HIV often encounter stigma and discrimination at school. There should be ways to care for HIV-infected and abandoned children. The prevention of abandonment lies in providing HIV-infected children with a food allowance clothing drugs and school fees. If they are abandoned foster parents should be sought for them. Home-based projects could generate income for those who are too weak to work outside the home. Such projects could boost the morale of these people. For children who could attend kindergarten or primary school assistance could include school-related expenses. Teachers and parents of other children should be educated not to ostracize HIV-infected children because such stigmatization could leave a serious imprint on them. The public should also be educated about AIDS particularly in rural areas. This would include how to live with AIDS community participation and prevention of HIV transmission. Support the Children Foundation with the assistance of the Association Francois Xavier Bagnoud has established three houses to care for symptomatic HIV-infected and abandoned children whom even the prime minister of Thailand visited. Another project endeavors to prevent the abandonment of HIV-infected children. A total of 115 children representing about 100 families are assisted by providing financial support for medication powdered milk clothing school fees lunch costs and transportation costs. The income-generating project is expanding and village education is also provided.