Sponsored Child in Thailand Excels Against the Odds

In the mist-covered mountains of Phitsanulok, where the Hmong community of Ban Huai Nam Sai resides, lives a young boy named Nawin—known affectionately as “Nu-sua.” At first glance, he is the picture of a cheerful Grade 7 student, but his bright smile hides a journey of quiet courage and a heart that refused to be broken by a fractured home.

Nu-sua’s life changed early when his parents divorced. His father moved far away for work and the burden on his family grew heavier. Raised by his grandmother and a mother who traveled often to distant provinces for work, he learned the value of a “family” isn’t measured by who is under the roof, but by the love and strength they share from afar.

Excellence Against the Odds

While many children might feel lost in such circumstances, Nu-sua found his anchor in the classroom. His shy, soft-spoken nature belies a fierce intellectual spark. In a stunning achievement that filled his village with pride, Nu-sua scored above the national average on his O-Net exams in both Thai and Science. He isn’t just a student; he is a leader. Whether he is leading a volleyball team to a championship or winning awards for a creative project to help the local economy, Nu-sua is proof that a child’s potential is limitless when given a chance.

Crafting a Future, One Stitch at a Time

Success, for Nu-sua, isn’t just about trophies—it’s about the small, calloused hands of his grandmother. In his spare time, he sits beside her, meticulously crafting handmade yarn doll keychains to sell to tourists at Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park. Every doll sold is a step toward self-reliance; every stitch is a testament to his refusal to let poverty or a “broken home” define his worth.

The Bridge to a Brighter Tomorrow

This resilience, however, hasn’t been a lonely path. Pearl S. Buck Foundation (Thailand) serves as his mentors, his counselors, and his cheerleaders. They ensure he has the life skills to navigate these challenging years without being led astray. Because of the generosity of donors and his child sponsor, he doesn’t feel like an “abandoned child”—he feels like a champion in training.

A Future Built on Gratitude

Today, Nu-sua is no longer just a boy from a broken home; he is a young man of gold. “I am thankful,” he says, “for the care and the eyes that are always watching over me.” Nu-sua knows that the road ahead is still long, but with the continued support of Pearl S. Buck Foundation Thailand, he is certain that he will reach the day where he is fully self-reliant—a shining example of what happens when people refuse to let a child’s circumstances limit their dreams.

Nu-sua’s story is still being written. He is a boy who takes the “missing pieces” of his life and uses them to build a masterpiece. With your continued support, he isn’t just a child at risk—he is a success story waiting to happen.

“I am confident,” Nu-sua says with a shy smile, “that as long as I keep working hard and have the Foundation by my side, I will one day be able to take care of my family all on my own.”