The Smile Group, Friends of Thay Hung

The Smile Group provides educational and medical care to children with HIV/AIDS. The Smile Group's mission is to restore the dignity and smiles of children living with HIV/AIDS through financial, educational, moral, and psychological support.

The Smile Group Programs

The Smile Group helps children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS age 10 months to 18 years to receive medical care and education. The Smile Group's staff members provides medical and dental care to children suffering from HIV/AIDS. The Smile Group also provides scholarships to youth with HIV/AIDS so they may attend school. They raise awareness about HIV/AIDS by holding monthly educational sessions in the park for parents and infants, toddlers, and primary school age children.

 

Why the need?

According to UNAIDS, there are an estimated 300,000 people affected by HIV/AIDS in Vietnam. Most HIV positive children find themselves excluded from educational opportunities due to poverty or their HIV positive status.

In Vietnam, there is a significant stigma and discrimination against children and youth living with HIV/AIDS. Because of this, there is little community support to help families affected by HIV/AIDS to access appropriate medical treatment and education about coping with the lifestyle.

How Team Efforts Translate to Impact

Funds raised will support the Smile Group in providing children with school scholarships, school supplies, and medical care to assure that every child, especially the youngest children, attends school. 

 

How the Smile Group Creates Sustainable Global Change

The Smile Group employs local community members to run educational workshops for children which provides jobs for the community. The workshops raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and help to erase the social stigma of having HIV/AIDS. Erasing the stigma of HIV/AIDS will allow people with HIV/AIDS to receive the necessary community, educational and medical support they need.

 

* Photos courtesy of Global Fund for Children