As midsummer university graduation photos pop up across our social media feeds, we want to share some success stories with you, our donors. The stories of Tida and Naseang are just two examples of how your contributions to the Keep Girls Safe (KGS) project in Thailand are helping to break barriers to education for young women from vulnerable backgrounds.

Tida Aryi is a participant in ADRA Thailand’s KGS project. After finding her way to the program, which she considers like a second home, she found opportunities to pursue her education, build her social life, and develop essential life skills. She has especially improved over the last four years in managing her time and personal finances. Perhaps most importantly, Tida was given comprehensive training by KGS in how to keep herself safe from trafficking and exploitation. With a comfortable place to sleep and nutritious food to eat, Tida was set on the right track to focus on academic achievement. Having recently completed her four-year bachelor’s degree in accounting, Tida is eagerly looking forward to graduation this August! She will be the first person in her family to achieve this level of education.

Naseang Lahuna – known affectionately as “Fah” among her friends – is a recent graduate from Rajabhat Chiang Rai University, receiving her bachelor’s in education with an emphasis in early childhood education. Having spent time at the KGS shelter in her younger days, Naseang initially struggled to adjust to life on her own in university.

“At KGS, no matter the problems I faced, there were always staff who were more like sisters to me to assist and give me advice. And though I might not have liked it much at the time, at KGS there were regulations and guidelines for me to follow. Then my life changed when I had to live by myself, and I became responsible for everything.”

However, with diligence and focus, she began to adjust to a newfound level of responsibility, taking hold of every area of her life and relying on herself to solve problems. This would not have been possible without the foundation she received from her time with KGS. Today she is especially thankful for ADRA donors like you who helped to start her on this path to high achievement.