A light that shines over Pho Katha community
“Although I’m unable to give monetary support to help children in this difficult area, I can contribute my labour. When World Vision Thailand started its interventions in this community, I saw my opportunity to support children and other underprivileged people,” Saeng Dao, 22, a World Vision volunteer in Tak Project, Umphang district, shares about her inspiration in working for the benefit of children and people in her community without expecting anything in return.
“World Vision Thailand has started its interventions in Pho Katha Community, Umphang district since I was a student. Because it was just the beginning of the development project, by that time I didn’t get to be a sponsored child,” says Saeng Dao.
Although she was not a sponsored child, Saeng Dao benefited from the development work that focused on supporting children and families and addressing the community’s pressing problems, which has gradually transformed her vulnerable community.
Saeng Dao’s educational opportunity ended at secondary school. She thought that her life would end up repeating the fate of her parents, trapped in the cycle of poverty. She wished that children in her community would have a chance to thrive and a better quality of life than hers. Therefore, Saeng Dao started her new role as a World Vision volunteer who supported the work of World Vision Thailand in her community.
As a World Vision volunteer, Saeng Dao serves as a coordinator who is responsible for selecting and screening vulnerable children and families to join Child Sponsorship and other special projects implemented by World Vision Thailand and monitoring and visiting children at home, as well as reporting child-affected incidents to World Vision staff to seek help, convening the meeting to build understanding with children’s families, and delivering aid to children, their families, and the community. Saeng Dao is willing to fulfil the add-on volunteer work even though she has already been burdened with heavy work in farming and other livelihood activities.
To Saeng Dao, the burdens she takes on as a World Vision volunteer are what she takes pride in. “I’m glad and proud to have a chance to help others, including World Vision and children and their families in the community. Before all I had was sympathy for the hardship children faced but I could not do anything to help. But when World Vision Thailand came to the community, I saw an opportunity to help others because I live here and know the community well. I would be able to help the most vulnerable children. So, it is my pleasure to step in to help. It is tiring sometimes but the smiles of children and the improved quality of life of the villagers are the strength that keeps me going to support them.”
It has been 10 years since World Vision started its ministries to develop children, their families and the community. Saeng Dao has witnessed many changes. “Children in the community have been sponsored. All extremely poor children have received school supplies and educational support. Families have also been helped. Many households which did not have their own bathrooms have received bathroom construction support. Meanwhile, children and villagers are provided with hygiene and sanitation knowledge and how to use bathrooms properly. Many families that lived in dilapidated houses have also been supported with home improvement materials and tools for house restoration. Children’s families and villagers have received livelihood support to earn income.”
Saeng Dao (meaning starlight in Thai) has shined brightly in Pho Katha Community in Umphang, Tak province and supported World Vision Thailand’s Tak Project to work in Umphang and continue bringing life transformation to the vulnerable children, families, and community members of Pho Katha. Besides Saeng Dao, other nearly 1,100 volunteers all over the country are also committed to walking alongside World Vision Thailand to bring life transformation to vulnerable children.