Wat Opot Children’s Community started out as a hospice for people dying of AIDS. From 2001-2006, the director, Wayne Matthysse, and his staff cared for more than 400 people before they died. By the end of 2006, they were able to treat patients with life saving ARV drugs, but the staff found themselves caring for a number of children whose parents had already been lost. Then Wat Opot transitioned into a community of survivors caring for children orphaned by AIDS. Many of the children and most of the staff are living with HIV. Everyone at Wat Opot is deeply familiar with suffering and death. They face huge challenges, but they also know a kind of happiness that comes from appreciating one day at a time.
Click on images to view them as a slide show
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- Morning at Wat Opot, a child leaves for school at 7 a.m.
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- A boys does his morning chores
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- Wayne, director and resident gardener
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- One of the girls helps prepare a meal in the kitchen
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- Studying at the local school
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- Wat Opot has an after school program to supplement the local school
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- Two friends both living with HIV
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- People come to Wat Opot expecting sadness, but they find smiles
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- Children living with HIV must take ARV’s daily, not following the schedule could prove fatal
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- She died of an AIDS related illness during the night
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- A boy living with HIV caught from his mother; he almost died but then ARV’s became available
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- Every night a few gather in the “family room” for a short service to remember friends and family who died
