Ethnic minority Dara Ang without Thai citizenship

Sittidech Ta is an eleven-year-old boy from the Dara Ang tribe, residing in the remote Huay Wai Village of Chiang Mai Province. Since his parents’ separation, Sittidech lived with his grandmother, helping to care for his one-and-a-half-year-old brother, Sorawich. While his parents toiled in the fields or sought work in the city, Sittidech attended school and then spent his evenings at the Robins HOH community center, a place of refuge and learning. Sittidech dreamed of becoming a police officer or soldier. He excelled in physical education but found mathematics a challenging subject. Football was his passion, and he often played with friends after school. Despite the hardships of his life, he maintained a hopeful spirit, finding joy in simple pleasures and support from his community.

Ethnic minority Thaiyai

Hanrang, a 10-year-old boy, is a second-grade student at Mae Kwong Jiradhiwat Upatham Irrigation School. Hanrang has been participating in HOH Sansai activities since the first grade. His father is working as a lumberjack and construction site. His mother is a housekeeper and also working on construction jobs in the evening. Every morning, his parents drop off Hanrang and his siblings at school, and in the evening, they come to HOH Sansai for homework help. If their parents are unable to pick them up, the program staff will take them home. His parents, working tirelessly in construction and housekeeping, demonstrate unwavering love and support for their children. Despite facing financial challenges as stateless Thai Yai, their resilience is commendable. Hanrang’s joy for learning, especially his love for Thai language and arts, is a testament to his bright future.

Pim was born on January 15, 2011. She is a 13-year-old Grade 6 student at Ban Pa Kor School, Chiang Mai. After losing her mother at a young age and living with an alcoholic father, she was raised by a loving foster family. Following her foster mother’s passing in November 2024, Pim now lives with her 74-year-old foster father, who works as a farmer and daily laborer.

Pim helps with farm work on weekends and focuses on her studies during school days. She also attends activities and receives meals at the House of Hope in Huai Muang Nai. Cheerful, responsible, and determined, Pim dreams of becoming a teacher, inspired by her experiences and support from her community.

Ethnic minority  without Thai citizenship

Benyapha Pangnoi is an 8-year-old student currently in Grade 2 at Ban Huay Pu School. She has been an active participant in the project since her kindergarten years. Benyapha lives in a four-member household headed by her mother, a single parent who works as a daily wage laborer. As the second of three children, Benyapha’s siblings also attend the same school; her elder sibling is 12 years old in Grade 6, and her younger sibling is 6 years old in Kindergarten 3. The family currently resides in a rented house located within Huay Pu Village.

Thai without Citizenship

Natcha is currently studying in Grade 4 at Ban Pa Muead School, a small community school that offers education up to Grade 6. Every morning, she walks to school with her friends for about one kilometer.

Natcha lives with her mother, stepfather, and two older sisters in a small rented room with one bedroom and one bathroom. Her mother works as a construction laborer, while her biological father, who is Thai, separated from her mother when Natcha was very young and has not been involved in her upbringing or in any legal documentation. Her mother, being of Myanmar nationality, faces challenges related to legal status and documentation. Due to financial hardship, following up on these documents has been difficult. When her mother has to travel to other provinces for work, Natcha stays with her sisters, and they take care of each other.

Her two older sisters, aged 15 and 16, are both studying in Grade 11. The three sisters have been participating in activities at House of Hope San Sai since kindergarten, as their mother works late and cannot take care of them after school. At the center, they receive homework support, learn life skills, and have access to nutritious meals every day.

Natcha is an active and enthusiastic participant in all activities. She particularly enjoys playing rugby, as it allows her to exercise, explore new experiences, and see the world beyond her community. Despite growing up amid various challenges, Natcha remains determined, responsible, and eager to learn.

At present, the family continues to face issues regarding legal status. Her eldest sister has recently received her national ID card, while Natcha’s case is still in progress. The foundation has been assisting the family by following up on the necessary documents and supporting transportation expenses related to this process.

Charan is a six-year-old boy from the remote village of Huay Wai, Thailand. Despite facing overwhelming challenges, he dreams of a better future. Born into poverty, Charan’s family struggles to meet their basic needs. His parents work tirelessly as daily wage laborers while his older brothers had to drop out of school to support the family.

Despite these hardships, Charan shows incredible promise. He is eager to learn and attend school, but his family’s circumstances often prevent him from a consistent education.

Suk is a 10-year-old boy from a small village in Chiang Mai, Thailand. As a member of the Thai Yai ethnic minority, Suk and his family do not have Thai citizenship. Living in a rented house with his family, Suk faces many challenges due to their limited financial resources.

Despite these hardships, Suk is a cheerful and determined boy who dreams of becoming a soldier. However, due to his lack of citizenship, this dream may be difficult to realize. Nevertheless, Suk remains focused on his studies, hoping to secure a good job and improve his family’s situation.

Ethnic minority Lahu  without Thai citizenship

Kanyapak lives with her mother and sisters in Chiang Mai. Tragically, her father passed away in a landslide during the last rainy season. Their house was also severely affected, causing significant damage and hardship for the family.

Despite these challenges, Kanyapak remains a bright and active child with a deep love for all types of sports. She enjoys playing and staying active every day, finding joy and strength in physical activities.

Beyond her passion for sports, Kanyapak is a caring and responsible daughter. She helps her mother with household chores and takes care of her younger sisters by assisting with cooking and housekeeping. Her resilience, dedication to her family, and positive attitude make her an inspiring young girl who continues to persevere through adversity.