One morning at Ban Naklam Community School, Nampard, Uttaradit while waiting for the kids to write letters to their sponsors, I had an opportunity to talk with an English teacher whom I then found out that she was one of CCF children. She shared with me how hard her life was as a young girl, also added that the future for her seemed clueless until CCF found her and gave her hope as she had been sponsored through the years.
Wirawan is originally from Nakhon Phanom. She was first enrolled into CCF Child Sponsorship Program since she was in kindergarten in 1996.
“There are 4 of us in my family; my parents, my younger brother, and myself. When I was young, I looked after my brother when my parents were off to work and I also helped them with house chores. My parents are both farmers. They earn very little but always said that they would try their best to make sure their children get highest education possible no matter how hard it can be,” the young teacher proudly talked about her family and her childhood.
Since the day CCF included her into the program, she had received education fund, from kindergarten to secondary school levels. Those days, she enjoyed participating in any activities CCF organized including writing letters to her sponsors. Following her dream of being a teacher, she decided to pursue a career in teaching. She successfully graduated from Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University with Bachelor degree from Faculty of Education, majoring in English, with second-class honors.
“As a little girl, I was so worried that I might not get to higher education for the uncertainty of our financial situation. Without CCF’s education fund, I probably don’t come this far. I wanted to be a teacher as a way to return the kindness I received, by giving back to our society. This way, I can pass on knowledge and everything I have to the younger generation,” added Wirawan.
The young girl that day is now an English teacher at Ban Naklam Community School. She is also taking a volunteer role working with CCF Uttaradit; giving advice on running activities, supporting CCF staff with gathering children’s information for child progress report and home visits.
“I’m very happy to be one of CCF children. It’s not just the education fund, there were many good and useful activities I attended. Now that I’m a grownup and be able to be part of CCF’s work makes me even happier, to see many kids benefit from this good cause.” Wirawan overwhelmingly expressed her feeling.
It’s nice to see another kind-hearted person, especially one who has come so far from where she was, a girl who appreciates the gift of love she once received from a sponsor through a good cause and wants to give it back to those around her. She successfully reaches her dream of being a teacher and she would like to give thanks to her generous sponsor for giving her opportunity to grow beautifully.
“Big thanks to all donors, sponsors, and CCF for giving me and my students great gifts of love. It’s lovely to see that not only me who benefits from this invaluable cause, my students also receive that too. It gives me even more passion to support the work of CCF,” concluded Wirawan.
Mayuree Wongsa
Uttaradit Child Welfare
1 August 2016
