Citizenship	Baptism
	Two more youth received Thai citizenship this year, now 18 of the children at the HOL have their citizenship, with 7 more still in process.	April was a time of celebration as 8 of the girls from the House of Love were baptized. They are pictured here with project director Khun Amnuayporn Jirakun and nurse Noon Jirakun.

Home for HIV-infected Women and Their Children
In October 1994, the Health Project for Tribal People (HPTP) faced a crisis situation. Four HIV infected women and one child from different ethnic minority groups had come to HPTP's office seeking assistance. None had a place to live nor any family or friends to help them. As a result, HPTP opened a home where these women and children were welcomed. The objective was to provide a stable home environment, with an atmosphere of encouragement and an emphasis on the worth and dignity of the individual. Medical care has been provided, and teaching about AIDS and related health problems has been a high priority. With the death of some of the residents, supporting each other in grief and loss has been another necessary skill for the staff and residents to learn. Residents have learned handicraft skills, and some have attended school.

As mothers died they often left behind HIV-negative as well as HIV-positive children. A population shift occurred in 2000. Because many of the women had died and left behind children, more children than women were now living at the HOL. Currently, 29 children and 2 women are living at the HOL.

Another resident shift occurred in 2001, when the ministry of the House of Love expanded to accept more children referred by the Social Welfare Department. Some of the children referred came from abusive situations, and therefore, they were not permitted to stay with their parents. The House of Love has also been used as a temporary shelter for abused women and for ethnic minority children living in slums when their parents are unable to care for them. Even as the ministry of the House of Love expands, it remains a home, and a place where HIV infected and troubled women and children are made welcome.

Over the past 13 years, the residents at the HOL have

• developed a set of house rules with which to govern themselves
• elected house mothers to oversee the management of the home
• divided up household chores to include duties for the children
• learned handicraft skills for some income generation
• enjoyed many activities, including Christmas caroling, trips to the beach and other outings
• celebrated birthdays and holidays as a group
• shared many spontaneous fun times together

Family times Fun times are a part of the HOL family and monthly birthday parties and outings add to the excitement.
	Cardmaking The women and children make saa paper embroidered cards and jewelry to sell. This is a wonderful creative outlet as well as helping them to make some money.