Sonia's Story

Sonia is a bright-eyed full of life four-year old. She is as bright as a button and everyone's favourite, including Father Giovanni's if he were to admit it. Father G had a smile on his face as he told me how she tells him off. He explained that if he picks up one of the other children and gives them a cuddle, Sonia demands that she too should be given a cuddle. She has been living at the Camillian Centre for about a year now.

Sonia was abandoned in Chonburi market by her 'working girl' mother who had AIDS.

Sonia was born with HIV.

That day, Sonia was lost and confused.

In her wanderings trying to find her Mama, she was knocked over by a car. She was quite badly injured and taken to hospital. The blood test revealed that she was HIV positive. Sonia then had nobody in her life other than the hospital staff. At that time she did not even have a name.

As Sonia had a 'communicable disease', the law dictated that she must be transferred to another Government facility. There was no room.

One of the hospital staff, being familiar with the Camillian Centre, took it upon herself to call Father Giovanni. Father G, taking one of his experienced female staff with him, drove to Chonburi and made the arrangements to take Sonia into his care. By this time Sonia had recovered from her injuries caused by the accident, but when she arrived at her new home her physical condition was poor, to say the least. This was a direct result of advancing HIV.

In addition to her general state of health, the condition of her skin was 'terrible' according to Father G, particularly around her neck, ears and scalp. As he told me, they had no choice but to shave all her hair off so as to administer the necessary treatment.

She was one very sick little girl. Following various blood tests, it was concluded that the severity of Sonia's condition warranted the immediate start of anti-retroviral treatment. Within a couple of months she had recovered remarkably. She was soon to be seen running around the garden playing with the other kids, just as she does today.

To look at her now, you would have no idea as to how sick she has been, or how sick she will most probably one day become. I amongst many hope that that day is a long way off or never arrives. It hardly bears thinking about as to what would have happened to Sonia without the Camillian Center.

When this photo was taken I was talking to Sonia and she went all shy, obviously feeling the need to hang on to Brother Tow for security. Do not be concerned about the white smudges on her face, Sonia had just been for a shower and she does so like to play with the talcum powder! It is little kids like Sonia that the Jaidee Appeal is all about.