“At the start of each school term, World Vision Foundation of Thailand would give us coupons to exchange for school supplies and uniforms. It meant my parents didn’t have to worry about those costs,” Ornpreeya, also known as ‘Focus’, recalls with a smile, speaking of the organisation.
Today, at just 18 years old, Focus has become a Child and Youth Development Officer in Pha Khao Project, Loei Province, caring for children in the very community where she grew up. Her journey began with the inspiration she received from her mother, who served as a World Vision Foundation of Thailand volunteer and instilled in her a desire to contribute to the common good.
Her parents are farmers with an unstable income. “My parents were always worried about expenses,” she explains, especially the cost of education, which was high for the family. This financial strain and vulnerability led to her joining the Child Sponsorship Programme of World Vision Foundation of Thailand. Since then, the girl received education funds, school uniforms, learning materials, and, most importantly, opportunities for life development.
“I joined leadership camps, life skills training, youth-led community development initiatives, violence prevention activities, and child rights workshops,” she shares. “Everything I learnt helped me become more confident, more expressive, and convinced that I could be a leader who brings positive change to my community.” Applying her new skills, Focus initiated a mushroom-cultivation project that created opportunities for community members with no employment or low income. “I’m so proud that what I learnt could be applied to develop my village. Seeing people benefit makes me truly happy.”
After completing Grade 12, even though her mother fell ill and the family’s income declined, Focus refused to give up. She chose to pursue a degree in Political Science at Ramkhamhaeng University because of its flexible schedule. This allowed her to help her father on the farm while studying — and to work with World Vision Foundation of Thailand to earn a regular income.
“I want to give back what I received from World Vision Foundation of Thailand. I was a child who was given opportunities. Now that I’ve been given the chance to work here, I want to support other children in my community so they can have the same opportunities I had.”
Her journey from a sponsored child to a youth leader and World Vision Foundation of Thailand staff member has become a source of inspiration for younger children in the community. “They’ve seen how much I’ve grown. It encourages them, especially those who want to follow a similar path. I want them to know that they are capable too.”
“I’m deeply grateful that World Vision Foundation of Thailand gave me the chance to return and support the children in my community. Whether the help is big or small, it means so much to children like us. Without these opportunities, I’m not sure if my life would look the way it does today,” Focus concludes, expressing her hope to continue passing on this circle of love and opportunity to future generations.
