About twenty HIV/AIDS patients and their families from the Ranong Health programme recently took the opportunity to visit MMR’s prayer house in the hills of Ranong to take part in a self-help day focussing on financial planning.
The day was one of a series that has been developed to help patients to develop life skills that will assist them in supporting themselves and their families. The day commenced with a welcome and group meditation, then MMR staff member Aon lead the group in the planned discussion. The forum allowed the patients to raise any financial concerns or issues they may have, then work as a group to identify potential solutions. There was also time to talk more generally as staff and participants enjoyed a delicious Burmese meal prepared by the MMR team. To conclude the day, everyone took part in a few games in the garden!
The MMR Health team plan to continue holding the self-help days on a range of different topics. They provide Burmese patients living with HIV/AIDS with a safe space to talk openly with others in the community about their illness and the challenges it presents, away from their usual routine in Ranong. MMR provided transport to and from the event for all participants.
