In late 2025, many areas across Southern Thailand were severely affected by widespread flooding. The disaster caused extensive damage to homes and disrupted the lives of numerous vulnerable children and families. One of those affected was the family of 11-year-old Patarawadee, a sponsored child of World Vision Foundation of Thailand, living in the Development Programme area of Sathing Phra District, Songkhla Province.
Patarawadee lives in an extended family household with a total of nine members, including her father, older sister, grandfather, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and two cousins. Their home is not only a place to live but also a center of love, connection, and hope for everyone in the family.
However, after the floodwaters receded, the home that had once been a safe haven suffered damage in several areas, including walls, doors, windows, and other essential structural components. The damage posed significant safety concerns for daily living, particularly for the children and elderly family members sharing the household.
To help the family regain stability, World Vision Foundation of Thailand, with financial support from The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC), implemented the “HSBC Sharing Kindness: Southern Thailand Flood Recovery Assistance 2025 Project.” The initiative forms part of a broader post-flood recovery programme aimed at improving the quality of life of children, families, communities, and schools. The programme addresses key dimensions of recovery, including housing, livelihoods, education, health, nutrition, and child protection.
For Patarawadee’s family, the recovery process began with an assessment of the damage to their home, followed by the development of a repair plan tailored to the specific needs of the household. The goal was to restore the home to a safe standard and ensure it could adequately accommodate all family members.
The project provided comprehensive support through the supply of essential construction materials needed to repair and strengthen the house. Support covered structural work, walls, flooring, doors, windows, and sanitation systems. Materials included structural timber of various sizes, composite wood products, smart boards, door and window frames, window installation equipment, sanitary ware, fastening materials, and other essential construction supplies required to restore the home to a safe and habitable condition.
These repairs not only addressed the damage caused by the flooding but also improved the overall safety standards of the home. The work reduced risks associated with weakened structures, enhanced household hygiene, and created a more suitable environment for children’s growth and development.
“When the flood occurred, many parts of our house were damaged, including the walls, doors, and windows. Life became very difficult for my family because so many people live together in our home. I was worried that we would no longer have a safe place to live. But after receiving support to repair our house, it is now stronger and much more comfortable to live in. I’m very happy that everyone in my family can live together normally again.”
– Patarawadee, a child affected by the floods
For Patarawadee’s family, this home repair project represented more than the restoration of a damaged building. It also helped restore a sense of security, stability, and hope for the entire family.
A home once scared by disaster has now become a warm and safe place once again—a place where all nine family members can live together with confidence. It marks an important step in overcoming the impacts of the floods and moving toward a stronger future.
Patarawadee’s story demonstrates that post-disaster recovery is about much more than rebuilding structures. It is about helping vulnerable children and families regain a good quality of life, living safety, and having the opportunity to start anew with dignity and hope.
