In a small village where the Kaeng Krachan Area Development Program operates, 7-year-old Natthanan, affectionately known as ‘Noon’, lives with her mother and father. As she prepares to enter second grade, her family leads a simple life, earning a living by tending their employer’s fruit orchards and vegetable garden.
Noon’s mother, 50-year-old Angkana, recalled how the family had to carefully manage its income and expenses. “Sometimes we had money, and sometimes we didn’t. There were times when we had enough to get by and times when we didn’t,” she said.
Putting food on the table was also a concern. Although the family usually cooked at home, they still had to regularly purchase ‘eggs’, a staple in Thai kitchens. Angkana said the family bought about one tray of eggs each month and alternated eggs with fish and pork to keep costs down.
Things began to change when Angkana learned about World Vision Foundation of Thailand through a teacher at Noon’s school. After staff from the Foundation visited the community and gathered information, Noon was enrolled in its child sponsorship program.
The family received essential school supplies, including a uniform, backpack, and shoes, as well as support for nutrition and supplemental livelihoods. Most notably, they received 17 laying hens, which marked a major turning point for the family. With a smile, Nong Noon said she was thrilled to receive a new school uniform. She also sometimes helps collect eggs from the chickens in the backyard, gathering about eight or nine eggs each day.
Raising layer chickens has brought tangible improvements to the family’s life. “It saves us a lot of money because we no longer have to buy eggs, and it also provides additional income,” Angkana said happily.
The eggs collected each day are used to prepare a variety of family meals, including eggs braised in five-spice broth and Noon’s favorite, an onion omelet. The family sells any remaining eggs to people in the village. Sometimes, they collect a full tray every two or three days. They initially sold each tray for 120 baht but later raised the price to 130 baht as the cost of chicken feed increased.
The eggs from Noon’s home have become popular in the community. “Sometimes people reserve them in advance, and sometimes we don’t have enough to meet demand,” Angkana said proudly. Although the family must care for the chickens while continuing their regular work in the gardens, they are happy to have fresh eggs to eat and an additional source of income.
In the backyard, not far from the chicken coop, Noon’s parents built a small shelter where she can play at running the restaurant of her dreams. Every day, she and her friends gather flowers and grass, play with soil, and arrange old plates and coconut shells to create a ‘make-believe kitchen’. Together, they pretend to prepare and sell food to their dolls and to one another. This simple play space may be the first small step toward fulfilling her big dream.
When asked about her future, Noon said she has many dreams. “At first, I wanted to be an art teacher. My mother wants me to become a civil servant, and I also wanted to be a soldier. But now I want to be a chef” she said.
Noon’s dream of becoming a chef is more than just words—she has already begun cooking for others. One particularly touching story brought smiles to everyone’s faces. “I fried an egg for my uncle because he had been in an accident and was in the hospital,” Noon said. The young girl prepared the simple dish herself as a way of caring for a member of her family.
Although the support they received has improved the family’s life, Angkana still worries about her daughter’s future. “I worry that as I grow older, I may no longer be able to work if my daughter has not yet finished school,” she said. Her words reflect a mother’s love and her hope that her daughter will complete her education and build a secure future.
When asked which forms of support had made the clearest difference, Angkana answered without hesitation: “The school uniform and the layer chickens have clearly improved our lives.” These two forms of assistance may seem modest to some, but for this family, they have eased financial pressures, enabled Noon to attend school with confidence, and provided supplemental income to help support the household.
Before the conversation ended, both mother and daughter expressed their gratitude to Noon’s sponsor, donors, and World Vision Foundation of Thailand. Noon offered a heartfelt blessing: “Thank you. I wish everyone prosperity, good health, and that all your wishes come true.” Her mother added with deep appreciation, “I am very grateful for all the support given to Nong Noon and our family. I wish her sponsor and World Vision Foundation of Thailand continued progress, happiness, and freedom from hardship.”
Seventeen laying hens have brought about a transformation far greater than the number itself suggests. This is the story of a small family given an opportunity—and proof that the generosity of caring supporters can bring smiles, put food on the table, and inspire a young girl to dream. Today, Noon continues to dream of a future as a chef, a soldier, or even an art teacher, with a bright smile and a heart full of hope.
