Over the past several months, there have been changes at Mai Tam as Founder John Toai was asked to continue his studies to obtain a PhD in Rome. In 2013 he traveled to Rome for his studies, but returns to Mai Tam at every opportunity.

A new group of managers--- Fr Joseph (Phu), Fr Joseph (Hoang,) and Fr Paul Hieu from the Camillian Order, Missionaries of the Infirm-- has been assigned three management positions. Previously, John was holding down all three positions, a great strain on mind and body.

This September 2014 Fr John because of his great skills was requested to proceed to Africa to work on the Ebola epidemic in Liberia. He is now there.

Mai Tam is doing well, with a reduced patient/client load, for both financial reasons and governmental guidelines. There are government constraints on total clients allowed. Support is growing from local benefactors.

More children are going to school, both public and private.

Total clients: In Year 2013, there were 78 (77 HIV/AIDS positive) orphan children at Mai Tam, and 289 children in the community; and 26 widowed HIV/AIDS positive mothers in Mai Tam and in the community. These numbers vary over a calender year.

In Year 2014 there are 76 (72 HIV/AIDS positive) orphan children at Mai Tam; 6 HIV negative transfers to the nuns' supported center but funded by Mai Tam, with 4 new clients -two new infants from the community and two new infants born in the Center (Sept. 2014). There are 26 widowed AIDS positive mothers in Mai Tam and in the community.

The oldest orphan, a young adult, is now 21 years of age. This is great survival news yet problematic as she will need to move on to independence. Through the support of the staff and volunteers, she has graduated from high school and now will attend nursing school, a great consolation and joy for all involved.

HIV/AIDS Medications: For several years Mai Tam has received a U.S. PEPFAR ( President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) grant for the purchase/receipt of drugs for the clients. This grant is due to run out in 2015.

We ask that you contact your congress person (if you are in the U.S.) and ask that the grants for Mai Tam be continued -- the problem is not over.

Staffing: Many older staff members have needed to retire and there are new and good volunteers now in place.

Education: With critical survival parameters in place, i.e., medicines, medical care, food, accommodation and love, the need for education is the priority with the children now growing up. This is being provided through private sector and public sector approaches. However, the stigma of HIV/AIDS continues for the client and must be continuously addressed.

The Psychology of Care: As these children are maturing, the concern now is “themselves”; how they perceive themselves as individuals worthy of love, as persons who can take care of themselves. Some tend to “act out,” the behavior they have witnessed in their childhood --- violence and abuse --- prior to their arrival at Mai Tam and some are still seeking love and acceptance. These are new challenges to be faced.

Adoption Opportunities: One U.S. donor has offered to fund one child in the Center through to adulthood, paying for basic needs an education. He has also paid for an HIV-infected mother to carry her baby to term and then to come to Mai Tam, where this donor will support the new infant.

Adolescents: Mai Tam will soon reach 10 years of service to the community. The clients are getting older. Children have survived the disease through medicines, love, compassion and mercy. A separate living facility is provided for the adolescents. The goal is to continue their education either in trade school or even in college. This will be an added drain on finances particularly as there are three clients seeking post high school education.

Gary's House: This is an additional facility/activity less demanding but very critical to Saigon society. It provides for the short term needs of pediatric cancer patients post surgery. In the past immediate post surgical care was extremely lacking. There is a separate fund for this activity. Any targeted funds are sent to Gary's House upon request.

Donations: Total donations sent in 2013 amounted to $16,510, with late arriving funds transferred in 2014, $23,228. We expect additional donations in 2014.

Expenditures:

                     Expenditures (% ) by Category

CATEGORY	Percents (rounded)
child care and food	9.00%
education	3.00%
medicines and hospital care	3.00%
transportation	3.00%
utilities/groceries	3.50%
supplies	<1%
salaries for caregivers	30.00%
utilities	6.00%
maintenance	1.00%
major equipment, school bus, one time only	36.00%
insurance	7.50%

Social Indicators:

                SOCIAL INDICATORS (reported Sept 2014)

Category	Numbers
total mothers rec'ing support	26
total mothers in Mai Tam Center	24
in community	2
receiving training	24
maternal mortality, 1/26	3.80%
total children receiving support in Mai Tam in community	365   76 yearly Range 265-289
children with HIV/AIDS not confirmed/ unknown status	171-182 83-94
children receiving ARV drugs	145 (Range 145-147)
child mortality Year 2013	0.0 %, no deaths