Occasionally in life you get the chance to share space with truly remarkable people. Mae Thiew is one of those people who has the ability to fill your heart simply by her smile. The way she spreads love in some of the hardest of circumstances is extraordinary.

Mae works with the forgotten and ignored children of northern Thailand, many of whom have HIV. She is the director and founder of the wonderful home in Thailand Baan Home Hug for the past 30 years. She has borne witness to stories which if I didn’t know better or I hadn’t witnessed first hand, I would question the validity of them.

Mae battles with terminal cancer but her mantra of ‘I am strong’ means that she continues to defy medical rationale of her illness. Powered by love, driven by strength, focused on others in a way that few others do means this is a story that will stay with you long after listening.

I know for me my life is changed because of the time I get to spend with Mae Thiew.