Catholic AIDS Response Effort (CARE), is a lay apostolate ministry inaugurated on 6th June 1992 with the approval of His Grace, Archbishop Emeritus Gregory Yong. We are affiliated to the Roman Catholic Church. CARE comprises of volunteers and is run by an elected committee whose term is 2 years.

Our mission is to reach out to abandoned, marginalised and destitute People with HIV/AIDS (PWAs) and their families, regardless of race, religion or social standing. We achieve this largely by visiting and befriending them in hospital or at their homes and attending to the most pressing needs. 

Background

It all began when Anne Webb was asked to visit and pray with an AIDS patient at the Communicable Disease Centre. The bed-ridden patient was partially blind and wanted somebody to pray with him. In those days, and to some extent even now, PWAs were shunned by an ignorant and AIDS-phobic public. (Taxi drivers did not even want to ferry people to and from CDC!) Her daughter Jackie Webb, later took over her role when she was unable to carry on her prayer ministry to PWAs. (Read Jackie's account.) 

Present Situation

Since inception, CARE has taken on a low profile. This has been due in part to the spiritual and conservative nature of the group; and more importantly, the associated stigma, discrimination and sensitivities associated with the disease. Many PWAs do not dare reveal the true nature of their illness to friends, relatives and family members for fear of the rejection that follow. Because of that, CARE members at the wards could not identify themselves as a group catering to the AIDS community without causing concern to visitors enquiring after the PWAs. However, with the growing threat of the disease and public awareness and education, social stigma is slowly being addressed.

Being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS can sound like the death knell. Many PWAs go through long stages of denial and anger, are fearful, lonely and depressed. Apart from the fear of death, there is the fear of rejection, guilt and of the realities of coping with the  financial, social and practical aspects of the disease. 

Like the 'unclean' leper in the days of old, PWAs experience social stigma. Some have been shunned by friends and even family members. The main public attitude towards PWAs is that they 'get what they deserve' or 'reap what they sow' (pun intended). Whilst it is true that a large number of the HIV+ have "strayed from the right path", what is not considered are the contributing factors that led them to that state of life. Most cases referred to us by medical social workers have a sorry background of improper upbringing, and/or are from broken families. These include both the young and old of all races, gender, ethnic groups and sexual orientation. Their professions range from civil servants to commercial sex workers (CSWs), single mothers, vagabonds, navy men, cooks, contractors, and businessmen. Though not all PWAs are poor, a high percentage are in the low income-low education group.

Then there are the many cases where the HIV virus is transmitted to an innocent party: infected-mother to child, delinquent spouse to faithful spouse, infected needles etc. 

After a long (for some, short) and painful struggle with the debilitating and expensive disease, many PWAs, reduced to skin and bones, leave this world with depleted bank accounts, broken relationships, despair and disillusionment. 

CARE believes that our lot is not to judge but to love. "Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me." (Matt 25:40)

Who we help:

The people we help tend to fall into 4 basic groups:

• Bed-ridden PWAs in hospital (inpatient)
• Invalid PWAs at home (outpatient)
• Homeless/jobless PWAs
• Healthy and confused (mostly high risk profile cases, test results inconclusive etc.)

(See case files)

Some of the problems they face:

• Loneliness and abandonment
• Discrimination at home / work
• High cost of medicines / hospitalisation
• Low education / illiteracy
• Drug addiction
• Lack of income / financial resources
• Lack of familial and/or peer support
• Low self-esteem / depression
• Improper upbringing / broken homes / bad company
• Multiple inflammation, cancers and diseases due to low resistance
• No knowledge of God

Activities

We try to provide holistic and pastoral care, and counseling support by engaging in activities such as:

• Pastoral care and counseling of PWAs
• Praying with PWAs in wards / at home (Prayer Buddies)
• Befriending services (celebration of birthdays, accompany the sick on a medical appointment, etc.)
• School / church awareness and compassion programmes
• World AIDS Day Mass (On or around 1st Dec)
• Funeral Arrangements / Disbursements of disowned PWAs
• Housing & Job-matching
• Participation in Volunteer Programmes organised by Patient Care Centre, Communicable Disease Centre, Tan Tock Seng Hospital (pastoral care, rations distribution, touch therapy, fund-raising, nutrition and health programmes.)  
• Others

Areas of Need

CARE receives our funding mostly from private donors.

Although the mission of CARE never changes, its role is always evolving. As the needs and number of cases increase, and as CARE searches for more ways to alleviate the pain and suffering of AIDS patients and their families, the group has begun to assume a more prominent role in the public eye. The extent to which this is achieved is defined and limited by purpose and funds.

With more public awareness and involvement, and an increasing level of engagement with the various healthcare, government agencies and public bodies, CARE recognised the need for structure and transparency and was registered as a Society in August 2004.

CARE strives to identify and support the HIV/AIDS community in areas that are currently neglected. The housing programme for homeless PWAs is one such project identified. Catholic Welfare Services is kindly supporting this corporal work of mercy. Support from the general public,  government bodies, as well as the healthcare community are invaluable and much welcomed. 

If you know of anyone who may need our help or would like to join us as a volunteer, do feel free to contact us.