‘Let’s go together…to visit children in Dong Luang…and have lots of fun’ Trip Imjai took sponsors on a journey of over 700 kilometres to the northeast for 4 days and 3 nights. Despite the long journey, it did not hinder the determination of the visitors. The goal was to hand over supported activities, educational supplies, and hygiene kits, organise a special lunch for children, learn about the local way of life, and see the work that World Vision Thailand has done to help children, families, and communities in Dong Luang Project in Mukdahan Province.
This trip was a great opportunity for the sponsors to witness the success of Dong Luang Project in Mukdahan Province, which has reached its goal in 2025 after more than 20 years of implementation. The project has significantly changed the lives of children, families, and communities in this area. There was also the handover of the clean drinking water project, water filtration system, water cooler system, water supply system, four-classroom restoration, and chemical-free vegetable house. It was a beautiful memory shared between the givers and the receivers before handing over the project to the community for further management in September.
Children have access to clean, cool drinking water through the support of the clean drinking water project, water filtration system, water cooler system, and water supply system.
Together, the givers and receivers capture memories in a classroom that has been restored.
The activities were diverse, fun, and heartwarming, including giving gifts, educational supplies, hygiene kits, and organising a lunch for 440 children from Ban Sok School and Romklao School. It was a joyful and special meal that everyone shared together. The atmosphere was filled with smiles, laughter, and conversations between the children and the visitors. The food, meticulously prepared by local cooks, not only filled the children’s stomachs but also warmed the hearts of everyone involved in the activity.
The visitors also visited and conversed with the members of Ban Suksawat Si Khao Blanket Weaving Group, which is an occupational group supported by World Vision Thailand. It not only promotes local wisdom conservation but also equips parents with supplementary income to provide for their families. Here, everyone witnessed the delicate and beautiful weaving process and experienced the villagers’ dedication to improving their products’ quality and creating sustainable income.
A special lunch, chicken rice, is served to children. Everyone enjoys dining together.
This meal is not only delicious and filling but also warms the hearts of everyone involved in the activity.
A skilled elder from the Ban Suksawat Si Khao Blanket Weaving Group is showcasing her weaving talents to the visitors.
Gathering around to discuss the concept and operations of the weaving group.
Another highlight of this trip was the opportunity to talk with a former sponsored child, ‘Teacher First’, or Nuchjaree, who is now a physical education teacher. She shared her life journey, explaining that she had been a sponsored child of World Vision Thailand since the first grade. Throughout her time under World Vision Thailand’s care, she was supported with school supplies, school uniforms, and, especially, sports equipment for her school.
She shared with a smile that the sports equipment was the starting point that sparked her interest and decision to pursue a career as a physical education teacher. Having access to sports equipment allowed her to learn and play sports properly and enjoyably, which developed into a passion and skills that led her to choose further studies in physical education.
Teacher First was also supported with an education fund, which allowed her to study at Thailand National Sports University, Maha Sarakham Campus. “I am very grateful for the support. The money and equipment provided helped me overcome many obstacles. The education fund I received during university came at a time when my family was struggling financially. This fund allowed me to continue my education and take another step forward.”
After graduating, she returned to work as a school teacher in her hometown to pass on her knowledge and experience to the next generation of children. Today, Teacher First sees her beloved students, the school where she teaches, and the community where she lives receive support from World Vision Thailand, just as she did in the past. It is a never-ending cycle of giving and receiving.
Although Dong Luang Project in Mukdahan Province is now at the stage where World Vision Thailand will hand it over to the community as planned, the seeds planted by the Child Sponsorship programme and the support from sponsors and donors, including Teacher First and many other former sponsored children, are ready to continue World Vision Thailand’s ministry for the children and their communities.
A special opportunity to speak with a former sponsored child who is a testament to the tangible results of the project
“I am very grateful for the support that helped me overcome many obstacles,” says ‘Teacher First’, or Nuchjaree.
Trip Imjai ‘Let’s go together…to visit children in Dong Luang…and have lots of fun’ was not just about giving gifts or organising a special meal for the children. It was about the joy of witnessing the changes brought about by the generosity of sponsors and donors, which have impacted the children, their families and their community, making them strong and self-sufficient.
