Thai Couple Get a Chance with Heifer

Sripri was a girl without a chance.

Born into a backwater tribe in a jungle village. Her parents, dirt poor farmers, couldn't grow enough to feed the family and there were plenty of mouths to feed. They had to hunt in the jungle. Kill what little game they could.

She was left at home, the oldest, to take care of her siblings—a parent before her time.

No time for school. Even if there was the time, there wasn't enough money. She was just another girl destined to a life of poverty that would lead to tenant farming, sweatshop work or worse.

Rossri was an orphan, taken in by a family who couldn't really afford it. Kind as they were, they needed his help—he skipped school to repay the kindness.

Abandoned as a child, he had no identification papers—no drivers license, no passport, no birth certificate. Without these there was no chance of government services. He was virtually an alien in his own country.

Bad as their starts were, they found hope in each other. They both knew hardship and could share that knowledge as they worked for a better life. But dreams aren't easy to fulfill when you don't have much to start with.

Together they built a house of bamboo with the help of neighbors and started growing corn. They took odd jobs, but Rossri couldn't take any jobs outside of the village—bound there without citizenship papers.

Their lives began to brighten when Sriprai had a chance to participate in a meeting with a Heifer project partner about a new Heifer project in their village. Heifer was promising that if they participated in extensive trainings on how to save money, take care of animals, and encourage gender equality, they would receive a water buffalo, two pigs, three chickens, fish fingerlings, and supplies to start a vegetable garden.

They joined the project with a nervous happiness.

"We were so happy to receive this special opportunity from Heifer," Sriprai said smiling, "When we first joined the project, my husband and I were not sure whether we would be able to pass on the animals' offspring and other things to a new family, but after we received training in the 12 Cornerstones and learned about the 'Passing on the Gift' principle, we are sure that we can do it."

Before and after—the difference couldn't be greater. From hunger to steady meals of chicken, eggs, and organic vegetables from their garden. From hard labor and uncertain income to a steady flow of money from selling piglets and buffalo manure.

Their children are now clothed with more than rags and there is enough money to send them to school. Sriprai and Rossri are even saving money with the hope that they can one day send their children to college—something that would have been beyond imagination before they participated in the Heifer project.

Sriprai and Rossi are even gaining the education they never got a chance to have. Through lessons by Heifer staff, they are not only learning how to care for their animals and grow vegetables, but also how to read and write.

"Now we can read and write, even if it is not very well," Sripria said proudly, "We are so happy about this. We have knowledge and our livelihood has improved. We are so lucky to receive such a special opportunity."