Dada: at the service of the Karen Children

Away from the hustle and bustle of town; Dada takes care of the old Lords of the Siamese Kingdom. The elephants have been desacralized by the development of cities and the modernisation of the country. Dada has devoted herself to these animals as they are an important part of the Karen culture and heritage, which are paramount to her. One could even say essentially: “I want to protect my culture because I feel like it is getting lost. For example, traditionally, Karen people never rode elephants”. Thus, when Dada discovered that the main local tourist activity was riding elephants in the mountains of Chiang Mai, she decided to propose an alternative. Something more respectful of her culture: a centre where one can participate in taking care of the pachyderms and discover the Karen culture. “I want tourists to learn about the life and history of the Karen people.”

However, in Dada’s life, there is something even more sacred than elephants: “Our company isn’t very big, but it allows me to do voluntary work and help others.” These “others” Dada is referring to and dedicating her time and a good chunk of her energy to, are about thirty families without resources which are sponsored by Children of the Mekong. “I want to safeguard the childhood of my country!” At 42, Dada is completely invested into this mission that she has made her own. Beyond belief, it has become a duty. Shy and discreet by nature, Dada speaks in a quiet but eager voice “I must help them!”

« I have had to fight my way through university to be able to study when the people I was in class with had money and didn’t even want to go to school!” Looking back, she is laughing at those inequalities, however, she is combatting them every day so that the other children don’t suffer from them.

Married and the mother of two boys, Dada often reminds them of the importance of education: “Studying is our only way to survive, it is almost vital to be able to study.” Dada has no money to give them, but like many other parents, she wholeheartedly hopes that they will do better than her, go further in their studies and have a well-paid job.

How come she asked Children of the Mekong to sponsor the children of this community? The answer is obvious: Dada, when she was young, was herself supported by Children of the Mekong. What she received, she wanted to make available to other children in her situation. “I never had the chance to meet my sponsor, and that made me sad. If he reads this article one day… I hope he will contact me straight away!” she adds with teary eyes. With a quick smile, she admits that back then, she felt jealous of her friends who received more letters than her.

In Thailand, many children live in complicated situations: there are many single parents. The father leaves, and the mother does too sometimes. The children are then entrusted to their grandmother, an aunt or a neighbour. Dada involves herself in voluntary work to help the children in her country have a better life than she did. So that they can be able to take care of their own families when it is their turn to do so. Five years ago, Dada could have lost everything when her doctor told her she had cancer. Dada immediately stopped working and asked her children to come back home. They also stopped working to be closer to their mother. She drew the strength she needed to heal from her family. Since then, her dedication to others has increased tenfold. Dada is always available to help those weaker or poorer than her, as long as her body allows it.

Dada didn’t want to talk about herself. Nor did she want to put herself forward. It is for the sake of others that she finally agreed to speak with us: “If it can help people understand sponsorship and the local needs in Thailand, then I am willing to tell you my story!”.

Before going to sleep in her house on stilts, and get some much-deserved rest, Dada asked us to make a wish on her behalf: for her to stay healthy for as long as possible so that she can keep on helping those who need it most.