During the last semester we had 2 children (Nan and Gor) graduate from secondary school. Both of them have stayed with us for about 9 or 10 years. We decided to arrange a meeting and invite the families of those children that were graduating.

We explained to them about how Baan Gerda took care of their nieces and nephews; their health, growth and behaviour. We also talked about their future and tried to convince them that nowadays we can live with HIV-infected people, and they can have a normal life and good career.

The meeting was quite successful and a lot of the families were interested in taking care of the kids once again. Nan has now gone back to her hometown in Petchaburi province to live with her aunt. She wants to take a gap year so she can find a job and save money to fund her studies at a university. She has since found work as an assistant clerk at a local TV company.

Gor went back to his hometown in Petchchaboon for a while and then onto Lopburi to continue his education. He will study computer design at a college in the city and stay in a dormitory. His grandfather will support him.

There were 2 other children that left Baan Gerda recently – Hong and Yok. Their parents had been working as foster parents at Baan Gerda for 7 years and have now decided to build a house in Sukhothai. Hong and Yok will study at a local college.

Before the children left Baan Gerda, we had a traditional farewell ceremony when all of the staff and volunteers came to offer them a blessing and good luck wishes.

We have also recently made some changes to our system that will allow some of the kids to continue their studies at different schools. Previously, all of the children have studied at the nearby King’s Foundation School. Those that have good grades and are well-behaved will now have the chance to apply to better schools.

Baan Gerda has rented a small house in Nakon Sawan province (near Lopburi) where the children can stay. The city is larger and has a better selection of schools to meet their needs. We already have 3 children that have graduated and were successful in their entrance examinations. Au is going to study electrical power at a college in downtown Nakon Sawan, and Som is going to study accounting.

Moo graduated from school 1 year ago has been working in Baan Gerda to get some experience. She will now go to study at the communication arts faculty at the university. Baan Gerda will continue to support these children as their families are poor and unable to contribute to their living costs.

Finally, we are delighted that it will now take place on May 5th from 7- 9 PM at Impact Arena, Bangkok. About 12 of the children will feature in the musical and they have been busy rehearsing every day for the last month.

The story is inspired by the book ‘Life of Pi’ by Yann Martel who received the Booker Prize for his novel in 2002. It features a young boy named Pi Patel and his journey across the ocean and how to survive on a small life boat that has a 450 pound Bengal Tiger.

In addition to the Baan Gerda children, the lead singers and the musicians who will be taking part in this performance come from different international schools and music colleges in Bangkok. They are also joined by Myra Maneepatsorn Molloy, the winner of Thailand‘s got Talent 2011.

The event is being sponsored by Rotary as part of their international convention that runs from May 5th- 8th 2012. Tickets cost $25 and any profits will go to supporting Baan Gerda. Bookings can be made through Khun Moo - k.sarnswang@yahoo.com

The reasoning for this;

- The coconut tree survives a period of high water without any damage.
- Products from the coconut have benefited from high prices for many years.
- The coconut processing gives the people in Baan Gerda a paid job.
- Storing and sales require less logistical support than a broader production line of fast-perishing foods.

As soon as things return to normal we will investigate this project further.

Extended Families
We wanted to use the October holidays to know how many children will be able to return to their home provinces once they have finished their education. During the long holidays, about 20 children stayed with their extended families. When they came back, about half of them considered a permanent move back to their families in the future.
This encouraged us to invite other known extended families to visit us during the October holidays. We hope that the families will gain a better understanding and acceptance of the children’s past. Unfortunately, we had to postpone this visit in Baan Gerda due to the floods.

A new Phase in Life
Next March, two of our children will leave school and Baan Gerda. 18 year old Naan will study in Bangkok. She is lucky to have contacts with relatives of her deceased parents. She will live with them but we will support her financially. Gor, an 18 year old lad, will return to his relatives in the province and start a technical course.

New Arrival at Baan Gerda
In the next few days we will accept a five year old girl into our care. The mother died of AIDS; the father is still alive but he does not look after the child since he became an alcoholic. The child is HIV infected and in spite of therapy, her condition deteriorated since the death of her mother. People say that the reason for this is lack of love as nobody is looking after her. Meanwhile, her condition is reportedly quite serious.

New Houses
The completion of the new houses to accommodate grown children was delayed due to the flooding. Three houses are nearly ready and the fourth one is still under construction. The surrounding landscape still has to be completed.

Dear Godparents and friends of Baan Gerda; in this year we have much reason to be grateful about. Baan Gerda remained dry during the flooding and the children continue to enjoy good health. Also, the new arrivals during last year are healthy and happy now and fully integrated into Baan Gerda.

We wish all of you a blessed Christmas.

To all of us, a happy and healthy New Year 2012. No matter how high the challenges will be next year – let’s do our best to keep our heads above the water as the Thais are doing in critical times of flooding – chin up and smile !!!

Very sincerely,

Tassanee and Karl Morsbach

It is the only race in Bangkok to be held at Midnight, and offers competitors a choice of 2 distances – 6k or 12k. The City streets will be closed and protected by a police and security contingent of about 400 officers, and supported along the route by local residents, and shop owners, together with the management and staff of the Amari Watergate Bangkok. The atmosphere is tremendous, with over 5,000 runners, both the local and foreign.

Entry forms can be obtained and purchased at 300 Bht. and 1,000 Bht. Participants who make an entry donation of THB 1,000 will be entered into the grand raffle and stand a chance to win airline tickets both domestic and international flight, many other fabulous prizes like luxurious watches, accommodation and dining gift vouchers from Amari Hotels & Resorts Group and etc. together with a complimentary of running shirt.

For more details, contact Clark Hatch Fitness Centre of the Amari Watergate Bangkok at
Tel. 0 2653 9000 ext. 5780 - 2 or the hotel’s Public Relations Department ext. 5021

Promo video - http://vimeo.com/29129078

Although attitudes are slowly changing, there is much that still needs to be done if they are going to be able to live in society as normal. The film shows the contrasting attitudes that exist and the need for more awareness and education if progress is going to be made. We hope the film will contribute to overcoming these problems and provide a better future for the children.

Now that the film has been completed it will be submitted to festivals with the aim of finding TV distribution. Most importantly, it needs to find an audience that does not know about Baan Gerda and have no connection with HIV.

If you would like to play a part in supporting this venture you can visit the website. By making a small donation, you can get a limited version of the festival DVD which will help fund the promotion and outreach programme. Alternatively, spread the word amongst your friends, groups and online networks who you think might be interested.

When we eventually arrived the kids were divided into four large dormitories, fed, and instructed to patiently wait for the heat of midday to subside. Excitement had mounted to a fever pitch by 4pm, as buckets and spades, swimming togs and sun-hats were gathered with careful instruction from the house mothers. The exuberant surge into the waves began with jubilant cries of joy and little legs racing in unison for the salty blue.

All of the Baan Gerda staff joined the kids on the beachfront in both their morning and evening sunny ritual throughout the three days that were a wash of beautiful smiles, fun, fresh fruit and seafood, and, of course, swimming. The content and grateful expressions on all faces, young and old, upon return back home indicated that this was a wonderfully rejuvenating getaway before the start of the new school year.

Although modern ARV medicine existed in those days it was out of the reach of most people who were infected due to the exorbitant prices. At that time an HIV diagnosis was synonymous with a death sentence. Public information about the disease lagged behind and was nebulous. The stigma that surrounded the infection made it difficult to live in society.

Today, medicine is available even for those on low incomes but the stigma is still a big problem. This will be a big obstacle for our children when the time comes to look for a profession and place in society. Children need a future without prejudice and society owes them a better understanding for the HIV/AIDS situation as it stands now.

We are sure the upcoming film ‘Living With the Tiger’ will help to raise awareness of these issues and reduce the prejudice aimed at those who are infected. The film follows 3 of the children in Baan Gerda and is told mainly through their perspective. As well as providing an insight into their daily lives it also shows them as they journey home to meet relatives that had once abandoned them. Currently, there are no films that deal with these issues in a positive style and avoid the clichés and sensation often associated with the disease.

The story is guided by their preparations for a series of performances in an opera that took place in Bangkok and the countryside.

Full details and a trailer can be found on the film’s website - www.livingwiththetiger.com/
To find out how to get involved go to - www.indiegogo.com/Living-with-the-Tiger

The event attracted thousands of people from local villages and communities near to the site at Bua Ngern.

We started planning the event several months ago and our main aim was very clear; many of our children originated from this rural and poor part of Thailand and we wanted people to see that they are fit, healthy and very capable. The show now includes a number of non-infected children from schools in Bangkok, and it sends an important message that they can perform alongside our children.

We were fortunate to receive extensive cooperation from the district council in the area, who assisted with many of the arrangements and promotion of the event. It was organised as an ‘HIV awareness day’ with the focus on education and promoting the idea of infected people living in their own communities. We hope that one day some of our children will be able to return to live with their families.

We have plenty of photos from the weekend which you can see here

The concert also features as the finale to the film ‘Chivit Mai’, which has been following the children’s lives over the past three years. It is scheduled for release later next year.