Cambodia AIDS Home Care

Priority Project – 4-47410-46-64

Battambang Province, Cambodia

picture of woman with a HIV+ child“Am I going to die the same way my parents did?”  These were the words of a 11-year old girl on her death bed at the provincial hospital just 3 years ago. At the time, the frail body of skin and bones opened her heart up to Jesus and prayed with a KEC volunteer. In a miraculous way, this little girl slowly improved, and although still living with HIV/AIDS, she is an active, vivacious, member of her extended family today.

It is estimated that in Cambodia over 50 percent of all deaths among men and 46 percent among women, are HIV related. CAMA is partnering with five KEC churches in Battambang povince, 150 miles northwest of the capital, Phnom Penh. A CAMA worker, Sharon Lapasaran, and her Khmer assistant, Miss Vandy, have been training a team of volunteers to do visitation at the village level.

The HIV–AIDS Home Care ministry has helped nearly all in the program get on ARV treatment provided at no cost through the government system. Because of the access to ARV, the health of many has improved dramatically and they can resume a more regular life. A visitation includes checking health booklets, encouraging patients about the importance of taking their ARV medications consistently, and giving out moringa powder, a highly nutritious natural food supplement that CAMA helps produce. When appropriate, there is also a time of singing and prayer during visits. Several of the poorest families receive a simple food packet each month. Thirteen orphans, whose parents died of AIDS, also receive basic assistance through the project. Many patients regularly attend a local church and are active members of the congregation. There have been nearly 70 patients since the beginning of the program and 24 have received Christ. In May 2008, ten were baptized.

In 2008–09, CAMA personnel are working with the KEC to fully nationalize the project. CAMA hopes to build the capacity of the Khmer so they can totally lead and administrate the project. When fully nationalized, the project will need approximately $3,500 per year to continue.