“Our house is on higher ground, so when the water supply is turned on, the water doesn’t reach our home,” said Fern, Suthima, recalling how the family once struggled to access something as essential as water. Today, however, life has changed significantly for the family and nine-year-old White, Supanida. The support they received has improved their quality of life, strengthened their livelihood, and expanded Nong White’s educational opportunities.
White lives with three other family members in an elevated area, where access to water is difficult because the village water distribution system is located below their home. Meeting the family’s daily water needs was a constant struggle. When no water was available, their only option was to bathe at a nearby weir. “The weir isn’t far, but since my daughter and I are both women, it was difficult for us to go there to bathe,” her mother explained.
A major turning point came when the family received a ‘water storage tank’ with support from World Vision Foundation of Thailand. The tank soon became an essential part of the household. “It has helped us so much. We can use the water to cook rice, wash dishes—everything,” Suthima said. Previously, the family had to fetch water or leave home to access it elsewhere. Now, they have a large tank that collects and stores rainwater, providing a reserve even when the water supply is unavailable. It has greatly eased their daily burden and given them peace of mind.
White also recalled having to travel to the weir to bathe. “Sometimes we walked, and sometimes we went by motorcycle. It was a little difficult,” she said. When asked how she felt about having water at home, her answer was brief but clear: “I’m very happy and glad.” She no longer has to go to the weir to bathe.
In addition to helping meet the family’s basic needs, World Vision Foundation of Thailand provided the family with piglets as a starting point for a livelihood. Suthima described her hopes for the future: “We’ll raise and fatten the pigs, and when they have piglets, we’ll be able to earn much more income from them.” Although she had never raised pigs before, her partner had experience, enabling the family to get started right away. They can also use homegrown vegetables and food scraps as feed, helping to reduce costs and create opportunities for a more sustainable source of income over the long term.
The pigs are more than livestock—they are a ‘four-legged investment’ in the family’s future. After living without a stable income, they now have a way to build a sustainable livelihood and become more self-reliant.
Soon after White became a sponsored child of World Vision Foundation of Thailand, she received educational support, including a school uniform, shoes, and other clothing. “This year, we didn’t have to buy a school uniform at all. It saved me a great deal of money,” Suthima said with relief. In previous years, she had to cover these expenses herself. “Sometimes I couldn’t earn enough money in time, especially because I also have a younger child. The cost of school uniforms and supplies was a heavy burden.”
This support does more than reduce household expenses—it helps ensure that White’s education can continue without interruption. Sharing her excitement, White said, “I’m happy. I got a new school uniform, shoes, a shirt, and a skirt too.”
This family’s experience demonstrates how well-targeted support can have a profound impact: ‘water’ provides the foundation for a healthy life, a ‘livelihood’ creates greater stability, and ‘education’ shapes a child’s future. Each element is interconnected, working together to bring meaningful, and lasting improvements to the family’s quality of life.
Expressing her heartfelt gratitude, Suthima said, “Thank you so much for helping us. We didn’t have any livelihood before, having the pigs to raise has given us a way forward.”
‘Generosity’ is not simply about providing short-term assistance; it is about building a stable foundation for the future. A water tank means the family no longer has to travel elsewhere to bathe. A pig opens the door to a new source of income. A school uniform helps a child stay in school and continue her education.
Ultimately, the generosity of White’s sponsor and all donors has helped transform the lives of White and her family, inspiring renewed hope for a brighter future.
