ASHES OF PERSONS ABANDONED BY THEIR FAMILIES, WHO DIED AT, AND WERE CREMATED BY, THE TEMPLE. PRINCIPLES OF AND REASONS FOR THE PROJECTS More than one million Thais are affected with HIV/AIDS and the rate was rapidly increasing 14 years ago. Most sufferers were shunned by an ill-informed society and were cast aside and left to die excruciating deaths. Hence, in 1992, the venerable Chao Khun Phra Udom Prachatorn founded the Thammarug Niwaet or the “Place of True Protection.” This commitment has set an example for the country. He has humanely helped those who are afflicted, showing compassion and understanding, as should all Buddhists, so that we all can live together in peace and harmony. SERVICES-WHOM WE HELP -AIDS patients in their terminal stages. -Homeless second stage patients. -Families where all members have AIDS. -HIV positive as full-blown AIDS . -Elderly persons who are left without support because all their have been killed by the disease.

My Ideal Person Ten of thousands of children in Thailand have caught AIDS from their mothers. Almost all of them would soon die. Those who survived became orphans. The lucky few were taken in by relatives, but the majority had nowhere to go. So we take them in and nurse them physically and emotionally. We provide what they need most : love and security. We are able to dramatically cut the mortality rate among these children and help them live happy and healthy lives by administering antiviral drugs, giving them the right nutrition, and proper exercise. But most of all we provide good care, education and love, to help them mature and assimilate into society.