Family care

Families on their own two feet

When a family can no longer take care of itself, Siam-Care takes action. Our goal? To equip families in such a way that they can function independently again as quickly as possible. Without help. We support and guide in various ways.

Families are thoroughly screened before they enter into our program. This way we ensure that only the most vulnerable families receive support. Most families in our program have children who are also part of Siam-Care’s educational program. Parents often prefer to see their children work instead of going to school, so that they can support the family financially. Therefore, Siam-Care helps families with studying children to make ends meet, as long as their children are in school.

 

Better than orphanages

A focus of our program is to keep families together to prevent children from growing up in orphanages. 80 percent of children in Thai orphanages are not orphans, but parents do not have the financial resources or knowledge to care of their own children. Yet research has shown that children in orphanages develop much more slowly than children who grow up in a family. Hence our goal to keep families together.

 

We first listen

Our well-trained and experienced caregivers first offer a listening ear. Together with the family, we make an analysis of where things are going wrong and what help is needed. Often, a shoulder to cry on and some encouraging words are needed first.

 

Then medical care

After we have made a plan, the support begins. Medical care is often needed. Families receive medication (often for HIV) without knowing how and why to take it. We guide them in this. Also at the request of hospitals, who do not have the time and resources for personal care. We ensure that families are insured and receive the financial government support they are entitled to. But which they often do not understand well themselves.

 

The basics in order

In some cases, a family needs temporary extra support to buy food. Or to pay for travel expenses to the hospital. Sometimes families have no toilet or their roof is leaking. In such cases, Siam-Care starts a one-time, short-term project to help families to a stable and safe living environment.

 

Knowledge and skills

After the basics are in order, we guide families further towards independence. We talk about good and safe upbringing, healthy food and a realistic family budget. We try to help parents find a job, if they don't have one. Mental health care is also often needed, because families sometimes struggle with depression. Because their living conditions are often bad. Counselors and psychiatrists are almost non-existent in Thailand, so our teams often have to put on that hat too.

 

Close ties with hospitals, schools and foundations

Unfortunately, people living with HIV/AIDS in Thailand are still facing a stigma. It is something people prefer not to talk about and are ashamed of. Siam-Care maintains close relationships with hospitals, social institutions, schools and other non-profit organizations. They regularly refer families to us. Because people often struggle to ask for help themselves.

Give hope and a future to a family, they are waiting with eager anticipation.