Each gift given is not just a simple item, but a tool to fight poverty. Whether it is food and clean water for good nutrition, education to open new worlds, or livelihoods to generate income for families—everything is designed to help children and communities become self-reliant.
But do these gifts truly create change? Let’s hear the story of transformation from Noi, or Nupha, in Roi Et province, whose entire family has changed because of laying hens.
“Food was often scarce. Some days we did not get to eat at all,” Noi, or Nupha, recalled with a sombre tone. At 55 years old, she works as a farmer and village health volunteer. Life has never been easy.
In her small home live four family members: Noi, her husband, and her two grandsons—Shogun, an eighth-grader, and Shinjang, a fifth-grader. “Their parents separated years ago. My daughter now has a new husband and works in Bangkok. She sends money back home from time to time,” Noi described how she has taken on the role of both grandmother and mother.
The turning point came when she first connected with World Vision Thailand. “It started when my grandsons went to the childcare centre. The teacher there recommended joining the Child Sponsorship programme. Then there were parent meetings, and that was how I got to know them and have been receiving support from them,” she said. That marked a major shift. “It has been about 10 years now since my eldest grandson went to the childcare centre.”
She added, “Initial support included school supplies like school uniforms, bags, notebooks, pencils, and livelihood support like laying chickens and ducks, which has helped us have food and income.”
Ongoing support from World Vision Thailand helped make dreams come true. When she heard they would be providing laying hens, Noi said, “I was so happy. I always wanted to raise chickens, but did not have the funds. This programme gave us a great opportunity.” Her motivation came from love for her grandsons. “They love eggs—especially Shinjang. He asks for boiled eggs every morning, sometimes two or three.” For a family that used to have to buy eggs, having fresh eggs daily was once a distant dream.
Starting was not easy. Learning was essential. “World Vision Thailand provided training on raising chickens. I also asked others with experience. To cut feed costs, I mix chopped water hyacinth and chaya leaves with pellets,” she explained.
The first visible change was clear. “Life has improved a lot. We used to buy eggs; now we raise our own chickens. We can eat as many eggs as we want—no limits like before.” Having fresh eggs daily is incredibly valuable for a family that once faced scarcity.
Even more rewarding was that Noi has started a small family business. From just a few hens from World Vision Thailand, Noi saved up and bought more. “Now we have about 60 chickens. We started selling eggs in the village. I sort them by size—small and large—and sell them at 100–120 baht per tray. Some days we get 30–50 eggs, depending on how many chickens lay.” Her eggs are in high demand. “People queue to pre-order because they know our eggs are fresh, collected daily, and raised naturally without growth enhancers,” she said with a smile.
Beyond full stomachs and extra income is the joy of seeing her grandsons grow. “Before, they would do nothing but play games on weekends. Now they wake up early to help care for the chickens—collecting, washing, and sorting eggs. They help with everything. Shogun even said he wants to be a veterinarian. Shinjang loves all kinds of animals.”
Though life has improved, Noi still worries. “I am only afraid of one thing—that the sponsor might cancel. If my grandsons are dropped from the programme, our family would struggle.” Before parting, she shared a heartfelt message to the sponsor: “Thank you so much. Without the sponsor and World Vision Thailand, I would still be buying eggs and would not have the funds to raise chickens. They have helped with everything—my grandsons’ education, school uniforms, bags, notebooks, pencils—everything. Without them, life would be very hard. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Noi’s story is proof that true support is not about the amount of money or items—it is about creating opportunity. The laying hens from World Vision Thailand, a gift from a sponsor, became the starting point of lasting change. It is a testament to the true power of giving: building livelihood skills, instilling values, and opening doors for vulnerable families to become self-reliant in the future.
