<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <html><head><title>Take Care Pattaya</title> <meta content="text/html; charset=unicode" http-equiv="Content-Type"> <style type="text/css"> <!-- body,td,th { color: #000000; } body { background-color: #FFFFFF; } .style2 {font-size: 20px; } .style3 { font-size: 28px; font-weight: bold; color: #0000FF; } --> </style> <meta name="description" content="The mission of the <strong>TAKE CARE!!  SAFE SEX PROJECT</strong> is to provide information regarding PREVENTION of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI s) as well as distributing safe sex packs containing condoms and lube to encourage prevention of various STI s, including HIV.</p>"> <meta name="keywords" content="TAKE CARE!!, Pattaya, Thailand, Gay, Charity, Condom Distribution, STI, STD, HIV"> <meta name="GENERATOR" content="MSHTML 8.00.6001.18854"></head> <body> <div align="center"><img alt="Take Care Logo" src="images/logo1.jpg" width="260" height=197></div> <table border="0" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="10" width="781" align="center"> <tbody> <tr> <td height="517" width="755"> <p class="style3" align="center">THE STORY OF TAKE CARE!! SAFER SEX PROJECT</p> <p class="style2" align="center"><img alt="Dr Phillippe &amp; The Take Care Volunteers" src="images/takecare_group_photo.jpg" width=480 height=357></p> <p class="style2" align="justify"><br>There s a popular gay bar, in Bangkok, which has a poster on the wall that says,</p> <p class="style2" align="center"><strong><em> LOVE OUR BOYS SAFELY </em></strong></p> <p class="style2" align="justify">It would be lovely if every customer that employed the services of the staff in the various entertainment venues heeded this admonition; but that isn t always realistic. </p> <p class="style2" align="justify">In August 2005, the Thai Ministry of Health announced that <u><em>28% of men in Bangkok, who have sex with other men (MSM), were HIV positive</em></u>. There s no reason to believe that the numbers in Pattaya are any less bleak. Experts in the field of HIV/AIDS prevention stress that promotion of condom use among MSM is vital. Additionally, authorities note that these highly vulnerable men often have unprotected sex with female partners, including wives and girlfriends. Those who work in the gay entertainment industry need to empower themselves by always insisting on the use of condoms and lubricant.</p> <p class="style2" align="justify"><br>In December 2004, <em><strong>Dr. Philippe Seur</strong></em>, of <strong>HEARTT 2000</strong>, a domestic non-governmental organization (NGO), which provides free medical care to AIDS patients in Pattaya, Thailand, and its environs, expressed the great need in Pattaya for a significant increase in efforts aimed at HIV/AIDS PREVENTION AND EDUCATION. Although some work was being done in local schools and through the efforts of the Provincial Office of the Ministry of Health and Pattaya City Hall, minimal prevention and education efforts were being carried out specifically in the huge entertainment sector.</p> <p class="style2" align="justify"><br>Recognizing that the HIV rate was again rising and many people were becoming less diligent about safe sex practices, in January 2005, an ad hoc group of volunteer expatriates and Thais formed THE SAFE SEX FUND, which eventually became <strong>TAKE CARE!!</strong> <strong>- SAFER SEX PROJECT</strong>. Currently, about ten to twelve expatriate businessmen and retirees, as well as a Thai university student, regularly attend the biweekly meetings. All are volunteers.</p> <p class="style2" align="center"><img alt="Staff assembling Safe Sex Packs" src="images/packing_new2.jpg" width=320 height=240></p> <p class="style2" align="justify">In its early foundation period, the following broad mission statement was adopted: The <strong>TAKE CARE!! </strong>sponsors programs to provide education and information to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections in Pattaya and environs.</p> <p class="style2" align="justify">Further, in those early days, it was decided that the concentration of<strong> TAKE CARE!! s</strong><strong> </strong>limited resources would be on business owners, managers, service workers and customers, as well as family members, in the over one hundred gay venues in the Pattaya/Jomtien area. Would be venues included go-go bars, beer bars, massage parlors, hotels and guesthouses and karaoke bars. </p> <p class="style2" align="justify">After a period devoted to getting organized, the group has concentrated on the distribution of Safer Sex Packs, which include two condoms and one lubricant sachet, as well as, an instructional brochure in Thai, to various gay venues throughout Pattaya/Jomtien. Our Condom and lube supplier is Bangkok Health and happiness co., Ltd. (<a href="http://www.bodyguardcondoms.com" target=_blank>www.bodyguardcondoms.com </a>). The current cost of our supplies is two baht per condom and four baht per lubricant sachet, totaling approximately ten baht per Safer Sex Pack, including printing and packaging. </p> <p class="style2" align="justify">Distribution of Safer Sex Packs, to a growing number of venues, commenced in April 2005. At the present time, about thirty-five venues receive Safer Sex Packs every two or three weeks, depending on whether it s high or low season. Packs are delivered by a distribution team, which consists of two volunteer expats and a Thai university student who makes initial contact and follow-up with venue management and staff. The object is that no staff member should leave the premises with a customer without safer sex supplies (condoms and lube).</p> <p class="style2" align="justify">As of November 2009, TAKE CARE!! has distributed 125,000 condoms and 62,500 lubricant sachets. Presently, <strong>TAKE CARE!!</strong> dispenses approximately 1,500 Safer Sex Packs per month to various venues in the Pattaya area. The only other community based, NGO focusing on HIV/AIDS prevention in the Pattaya gay community is SWING (Sex Workers in Group). </p> <p class="style2" align="justify">A recent survey conducted by <strong>TAKE CARE!! s</strong> distribution committee, of the various venues that receive Safer Sex Packs from <strong>TAKE CARE!!</strong>, revealed that the overwhelming majority of these venues have a need for safer sex supplies to distribute to their staff. What is more, they usually run out before they receive a new supply. </p> <p class="style2" align="justify"><br><strong>TAKE CARE!!</strong> is also dedicated to HIV/AIDS education and has been invited to speak to staff at some venues which have regular staff meetings. There is obviously a need for the kinds of service <strong>TAKE CARE!!</strong> is providing and with help from the community, <strong>TAKE CARE!!</strong> will be able to continue its efforts and expand its services to the gay community of Pattaya. </p> <p class="style2" align="center"><img alt="Fund Raiser at Monty's " src="images/montysfundraiseragainnew.jpg" width=208 height=240></p> <p class="style2" align="justify"><br><strong>TAKE CARE!!</strong> receives no outside funding except from individual donations and fundraisers. There are, virtually, no administrative costs, as all money goes toward the purchase of supplies and instructional material. <br><br></p></td></tr></tbody></table> <table border="3" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="3" width="554" align="center"> <tbody> <tr> <p class="style3" align="center">Major sponsors of <strong>TAKE CARE!!</strong> <td height="26" width="125"> <div align="center"><a href="http://www.pattayapride.com" target="_blank"><img src="images/pattayapridelogo.jpg" alt="Pattaya Pride" width=117 height=112 border="0"></a><a href="http://www.pattayagayfestival.com"></a></div></td> <td height="26" width="125"> <div align="center"><a href="http://www.gardencentre.com.au/thailife"><img alt="Thais 4 Life" src="images/thai4life_logo.jpg" width=271 height=80></a></div></td> <td height="26" width="125"> <div align="center"><a href="http://www.bondipattaya.com" target="_blank"><img border=0 alt="Bondi Beach Bar &amp; Guest House - Pattaya" src="images/Bondilogo.gif" width=175 height=112></a><a href="http://www.ozzpattaya.com"></a></div></td></p></tr></tbody></table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <table border="3" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="3" width="822" align="center"> <tbody> <tr> <td height="26" width="110"> <div align="center"><strong><a href="index.htm">Home</a></strong></div></td> <td width="167"> <div align="center"><strong><a href="about.htm">About TAKE CARE !!</a> </strong></div></td> <td width="95"> <div align="center"><a href="contact.htm"><strong>Donate</strong></a></div></td> <td width="125"> <div align="center"><strong><a href="contact.htm">Contact Us</a></strong></div></td> <td width="125"> <div align="center"><strong><a href="photos.htm">Photos</a></strong></div></td> <td width="125"> <div align="center"><strong><a href="links.htm">Links</a> </strong></div></td></tr></tbody></table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <center><span class="style1">Hosting provided by</span>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.liberty-computers.com" target=_blank><img border="0" alt="Liberty Computers" src="images/liberty-computers-logo-small.bmp" width=25 longDesc="http://www.liberty-computers.com" height=25></a> <a class="style1" href="http://www.liberty-computers.com/" target=_blank>Liberty Computers </a></center></body></html>