Yesterday Untenu made money available to help the mother of a young gay man. Both mother and son are HIV positive, mother became ill and can no longer work. Four members of the family are now dependent on one minimum income.
Last year, Untenu paid school fees for the foster child of a gay man with HIV who became seriously il. Now that we were again faced with a disruptive family situation, we decided to expand the target group so we can also offer help when it does not only concern someone who is our primary target group.
We chose the term ‘rainbow families’ and from now on we will use this description. For a rainbow family is not limited to blood relatives alone.
The primary target group (HIV positive LGBTIs who live in poverty in Cambodia) who are eligible for emergency aid, is expanded with:
A person who is either dependent on someone from the primary target group or as a caregiver indispensable for someone of the primary target group.
This creates clarity for our partner organization, which also expanded its target group last year. Bandanh Chaktomok is no longer working only for gay men and men to female transgender people, it is now officially an LGBT Network.
One small salary for 4 people
Breadwinner S. became HIV positive through breastfeeding of his mother. Father died of the effects of AIDS. S. is gay, 21 years old and recently started a job in a cinema. His salary must keep four people alive, besides his mother, also an aunt and a handicapped nephew.
Mother has been living with HIV for a long time and was recently admitted to hospital with lung problems. These costs were reimbursed by the so-called Poor ID. S.’s mother sells sugar cane juice at home, but is unable to work at the moment.
There is not enough money to make her body strong and to buy medication.
With money from Untenu, our partner organization ensures that the mother receives medication for a month and receives food and nutritional supplements.
In the hope that she will be sufficiently strong and can contribute to the family income again.