By Chris Morgan | Resource Mobilization Manager
Ms. Dao*, a member of our Sustainable Livelihoods program, is the guardian of her niece, Som*, a scholarship student. Som’s early life was filled with challenges due to her stepfather’s violent behavior and substance abuse, which led to an unstable home environment. Fearing for her safety and future, Som’s aunt, Ms. Dao, stepped in to care for her, along with her two siblings and their grandmother, after Som’s mother separated from her stepfather.
Though Ms. Dao had never married and had no biological children, she took in three of her young relatives, including Som, embracing them as part of her household with love and compassion. As a vegetable seller, she provided as best as she could, determined to give the children a brighter future. However, the challenges of supporting an entire household on her own were significant.
With support from The Freedom Story’s scholarship program, Som was able to continue her education. At the same time, Ms. Dao became involved in the Sustainable Livelihoods (SL) program, where she received training on sustainable farming practices, household accounting, and income-generating activities. The program provided her with additional skills in vegetable cultivation, chicken raising, and compost creation, as well as strategies to market her produce.
Although Ms. Dao couldn’t read or write in Thai, she worked closely with Som, using the skills she gained during trainings with The Freedom Story, to manage the household’s finances, carefully tracking income and expenses. Together, they realized that their costs often exceeded their earnings, prompting Ms. Dao to take measures to reduce unnecessary expenses and grow more vegetables to increase their income. Through careful planning and regular support from The Freedom Story staff, she transformed her small vegetable garden into a year-round source of revenue, ensuring a steady income that has become the family’s primary income.
Ms. Dao’s dedication didn’t stop with her own family. The SL project encouraged her to take part in community activities, where she shared her knowledge and experiences with other parents and guardians. At a financial management training session in May 2024, she spoke about how she had learned to diversify her crops, increase yields, and plan for the future. Her story became a source of inspiration for other families, many of whom were struggling with similar financial difficulties.
As her success grew, so did her pride in her role as a caregiver and provider. She even involved Som in the business, allowing her to gain practical experience in managing money and contributing to the family’s well-being. This helped Som develop important life skills, giving her a sense of responsibility and empowerment.
Thanks to all of your support, Ms. Dao has not only improved her family’s financial situation but has also become a role model within her community. Her journey from barely making ends meet to becoming a model for vocational development shows the transformative power of sustainable livelihoods. While challenges remain, her story is one of hope, perseverance, and the tangible difference that thoughtful, consistent support can make in the lives of at-risk families.
Yours in hope,
The Freedom Story
* The names have been changed, and the header photo does not depict them in order to protect their privacy.
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By Chris Morgan | Resource Mobilization Manager
By Lucy McCray | CEO
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