Help 500 Thai children get an education

Ted is a bright-eyed, five-year-old boy who is filled with curiosity. He attends a temple school at Wat Saimoon, where he is in Kindergarten. He is always eager to learn and make new friends. His life, however, is not easy. Ever since his parents separated when he was only three, he has lived with his mother, who works as a server at a restaurant. In Thailand, this job requires long hours and short pay.

Ted has two older siblings. His elder brother, aged thirteen, had to drop out of school due to financial hardships. Without education, his future is uncertain. The second brother is still attending school in first grade, but he is disabled and has difficulty walking and taking care of himself, so he requires a lot of special care and attention. 

The burden of all this falls on Ted's mother, who struggles to carry it all. Since their separation, she has lost touch with her ex-husband, whose personal struggles with alcohol have left the family in a precarious situation. With only one day off each week, she often had to leave her children in the care of neighbors or allow them to fend for themselves while she was at work.

On top of everything else, Ted’s mother must also pay expensive visa fees because they are not Thai citizens. Their home country of Myanmar is in the midst of a brutal civil war, making it impossible for them to return home. Despite all these burdens looming over their family, Ted’s mom has an unwavering commitment to her children. Ted is a beacon of hope, his laughter and resilience shining brightly in the shadows of their difficulties!

The help and support of Education Matters has been a lifesaver for this single-parent family. Now, Ted and his brothers can stay in school. The present may not always be easy, but they have a much better outlook on the future because they are getting an education! Your support helps children like Ted have hope and a future!