A high rate of HIV/AIDS infection is not the only challenge facing the village of Bung Krom in Kandal Province. 
The equally high levels of discrimination that those living with HIV/AIDS face is a problem that many believe is preventing the village from effectively tackling its silent killer.
It is a problem that Neang Sophat is only too familiar with. As a participant in the AOC run HIV/AIDS Awareness Resources and Training (HART) Program, the 52 year-old has seen the devastation that discrimination and ignorance wreaks on the lives of HIV/AIDS sufferers in her village.
To illustrate her point, she tells the poignant story of a young woman who became HIV positive after her husband had contracted the disease after sleeping with a prostitute. Despite displaying all the symptoms of HIV/AIDS, the woman refused to acknowledge she was HIV positive. more..
Working closely with the Ministry of Health AOC’s Project Homecare and HART are providing care, eduction and personal support to people living with HIV / AIDS in Lvea Em district.
Project Homecare
Providing hope and restoration for Cambodians living with HIV/AIDS
Project Homecare exists to ensure that People Living With 
HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and their families will know the hope and love of Christ, through excellence in care and the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And through education Project Homecare will equip PLWHA to make wise life choices, preventing further spread of HIV/AIDS in the villages of Lvea Em district.
Regular home-visits are carried out and palliative and preventive nursing care is given including:
- pre and post test counseling;
- links to blood testing services in Phnom Penh;
- medication and soya food supplements distribution
- support of patients and family members
Educational activities teach about:
- prevention, safe-sex, family planning;
- nutrition and health as an HIV+ person
The hope of Christ is shared with patients and where possible
patients are introduced and integrated into AOC-run church cell groups in their village. There they receive prayer and encouragement and are given bibles and other literature.
HIV/AIDS Awareness Resources and Training (HART) Program
HART which is set to begin at the end of 2005, will be targetted at the youth (14-19 years old) in Lvea Em district. Its vision is to educate these youth about STIs, primarily HIV/AIDS and to give them the life skills/tools to make wise choices for the future.
In November/December of this year we will begin to gather a small group of dedicated youth and weekly meet with them, using karaoke videos and teaching material that is culturally and age relevant including:
- give facts about sexual health, pregnancy, STDs and HIV/AIDS along with strong moral values
- make available to youth the skills to delay intercourse
- improve decision making skills
- provide the skills required to make informed decisions about sexual heath
- provide the information and skills required to face peer pressure over the use of alcohol and drugs
After the 12 week series of teachings, our youth will set up smaller groups and continue to pass this vital information along.
While this is still in the development and planning stages, we have great expectations for the impact of such a project.
Patient Support Program
The Patient Support Program is part of Project
Homecare. It was established to increase the support base for our patients, who are often isolated from their families and communities. The program includes the “Big Day Out” and Memory Book projects.
The “Big Day Out” plays a significant part in the Patient Support Program. It is designed to give our patients and their families an opportunity to have fun together and includes picnics, trips to the zoo or Tak Mao Mountain, swimming, and games!
The Memory Books are compilations of memories that thepatients pass on to those of their families who are left behind after their death. The books including photographs, stories, words of wisdom or advice, drawings, and recollections.