The attached scanned page is from a journal called Weekly Eleven. It is in interview with Than Myint Aung who established a safe house for HIV Positive children called Happy Haven Humanitarian Project (HHHP). A brief profile and information from an HHHP pamphlet was graciously donated to [him] by a colleague.
The [him] moderator doesn't want rain on the parade but he and other
child rights advocates think that isolating children orphaned by AIDS
and children living with HIV and children affected by HIV does more harm
than good. These children with HIV should be treated just like other
children with chronic diseases. AIDS orphans should be treated like
other orphans.
[him] moderator
******************************
Happy Haven Humanitarian Project (HHHP)
This is project was initiated by a group of writers, journalists and medical doctors. Most of who have met in a short training on HIV/AIDS journalism offered by the American Center and they came up with the idea of having a safe house to keep children orphaned by or ostracized from their society because of HIV/AIDS. Than Myint Aung, a woman writer and social activist who is one of the prominent volunteer of well known Free Funeral Service Society is playing the leading role of the initiative.
They perceive themselves as "a like minded compassionate people, committed to the welfare of these children and initiate this project with the objective of providing them with a familial environment where
they will receive love, care and attention which they desperately need". This is a creative initiative which the regime's orphanages can care centers can't provide.
With the initial support from friends, they rented a house and prepare to receive such children. So far they are taking care of 13 children in their house located in south of Yangon.
Mission Statement of Happy Haven Humanitarian Project
The scourge of AIDS has orphaned many children. However not all of them
become infected with the disease. Those who have not contracted the
disease from their parents are either cared for by relatives or are
placed in orphanages. However those unfortunate children who have been
infected with the HIV virus are stigmatized and neither relatives nor
orphanages are willing to take them in. They therefore face rejection
and social isolation and are deprived of everything young children
should have. Thus, there is an urgent need for a care center that will
provide a home for these children. A group of like-minded compassionate
people, committed to the welfare of these children, has thus initiated
the Happy Haven Humanitarian Project with the objective of providing the
children with a familial environment where they will receive the love,
care and attention they so desperately need. Happy Haven aims to relieve
the physical, emotional and spiritual suffering which children infected
with AIDS experience and help them live their lives in peace and
happiness and with dignity. Happy Haven is a charitable organization and
children with AIDS will be provided with care free-of-charge. Initially
set up with monetary contributions from the organizers, donations are
welcomed for the upkeep of the care center.
Fact Sheet of Happy Haven Humanitarian Project
Name: Happy Haven Humanitarian Project
Location: 334, Tabinshwehtee Road, North Dagon, Ward No, (11)
(Temporary) No.9, Nwe Ni Street, Mid Myohaung, Thanlyin . Southern District.
Objective: To provide HIV positive orphans with parental love and care
in a familial environment
Organizers: Daw Than Myint Aung (Writer) (Kalayar Magazine)
( 579920)
Dr. Tin Tin Win (Writer Ju)
(09-5009600, 704656)
Dr. Htar Htar (Writer Su Htar)
Dr. Khin May Su ( Medical Superintendent. Shwe Baho Medical Centre)
(0 1-577864,545759, 09-5007955)
Daw Myint Myint Khin Pe
(Shwe Zee Gwat) (01-6658 24, 704784)
Project : To initiate project by building a care center on donated land
or land purchased with funds acquired by the organization
Selection of orphans:
(1) HIV positive children with both parents deceases
(2) HIV positive children with one or both parents still living but in
no position to provide necessary care and attention
(3) Special consideration will also be given to non-orphan HIV positive
children on a case-by-case basis
Age : Under 12 Years
Caregivers : Senior care givers must have medical training and an
Interest in humanitarian work (e.g.: retired nurses). Junior care givers
must be Interested In nursing and child care. Unemployed HIV positive
people in good health will also be considered.
Supervision: Members of the executive committee will supervise the daily
running of the care center in rotation.
Health: Medical doctors who are members of the executive committee will
pay weekly visits to provide regular health care. In case of
emergencies, Dr Khin May Su can be contacted anytime of the day to
provide necessary medical attention.
Education: (1) Hired teachers will provide the children with non-formal
education. For access of formal education, arrangements will be made for
children to sit for tests at various orphanages.
(2) Provision of vocational education as well as training for
intellectual development and development of artistic talents
(handicrafts, painting and sculpture)
(3) Provision of suitable games and toys for intellectual development,
health and employment.
[1] Happy Haven Humanitarian Project Pamphlet
[2] 1 US=1270 kyat (The Irrawaddy News Magazine Online Edition)
