Helping Single Thai Mothers Keep Their Babies

Mary came to Home of the Swallow just for a short season, when she was at the end of her means to support her and her son. She was glad to have had a place to stay here at Home of the Swallow over the last few months, as she didn’t have anywhere else to go. Her short-term goal was to make money so she could get a Thai ID card. Then she would be able to rent a house and get a job. She was finally able to get her Thai ID card after coming to live at Home of the Swallow. The cost was higher than she could afford, which has been a hindrance to getting it in the past. So being able to live at Home of the Swallow and work and save money for this made a huge difference. 

Mary wants her son to be able to study and get a high education.  She says “I want my son to learn important things and not do bad things as I’ve done. Even though his father isn’t around, I want him to have a good life.”  She wants to be able to work for herself in the future, and being here has given her motivation to work towards that. She has another daughter that lives with her father, because Mary is just barely making it now, and is not able to take care of both of her children. She hopes that soon she will be able to bring her daughter to live with her, once she has a more stable income and can support two children well.  

Mary says that she has been happy to be at Home of the Swallow for this season, but she feels that it’s time to leave and try to make it on her own.  She says “I learned a lot of things here, specifically how to concentrate better, how to better get along with others, and how my words affect other people.  The house mother helped me a lot, encouraged me, and has been there for me.”  She has decided to move out to follow her dream to be able to take care of herself. She will be working in an orchard, planting, sweeping, watering, etc.  It’s not difficult work. and it’s something that she likes and will be good at.  She believes this is a job that is a perfect fit for her because she’s been waiting for an opportunity like this for a while. 

Every woman comes to Home of the Swallow for a different reason but all ultimately have the desire to be able to care for and support their family. Some come through our program for a season to get on their feet again as Mary did, and we are thankful to have been able to help her and her son in her season of need!