Listen to the Interview in English (Windows Media - 1 MB)

Read the transcript in English

In Thailand, where over 90% of the population is Buddhist, monks play an essential role in the population’s spiritual guidance and support. However Buddhism forbids monks to be involved in issues relating to personal sexuality. Tesha Phanuo, a monk heading the association of people living with AIDS in one of Thailand’s provinces was opposed by his community for being involved in fighting the disease. However, by portraying HIV/AIDS as both a cultural and social issue, Tesha and other monks are changing people’s mindsets and helping increase to over 300,000 the number of people reached with HIV prevention messages in Global Fund supported programmes, implemented since 2003 by the Ministry of Health and Raks Thai Foundation. Listen to Tesha outline the value of financial support to the community and to its spiritual and physical health.

" Beforehand, you have got to have a soul first… The soul and the money, when combined, will help the (social support) club and the groups (of people living with AIDS) grow even stronger..."