Hello, my name is Parinya Yoram, but everyone calls me Kao Pun (Rice Ball). I am currently in 9th grade in Buriram. It’s a small school in my community, and I chose to study here because it is close to home, which helps reduce expenses for my family, especially for my grandmother, who takes care of me.
 

 

Unlike other kids, I don’t have my parents by my side. My mother passed away in 2019, and my father passed away in 2021. Losing them both was the hardest thing I have ever faced, but I had to accept it and move forward. Now, I live with my grandmother and aunt, who do their best to support me.
 

My grandmother, despite her old age, works as a sugarcane cutter, earning only 100-200 Baht ($3-6) per day. My aunt also contributes to our household income, but money is always tight. That’s why I try to spend as little as possible at school—I always save 10-20 Baht by bringing food from home. I keep the saved money in a small piggy bank and only use it for emergencies so that I don’t have to ask my grandmother for more.

 

 

After school, I help my grandmother with household chores, and on weekends, I assist her at work to earn a little extra income. Despite our struggles, I love studying, especially Thai, Science, and Social Studies. In my free time, I enjoy drawing, reading Buddhist teachings, and other books.
 

 

My biggest dream is to become a teacher because I believe education can change lives. A stable career would allow me to provide a better life for my family. I’ve seen how difficult it is to survive without financial security, and I don’t want my loved ones to suffer.

If I receive this scholarship, I will continue my studies in high school at the same school and use every Baht wisely to achieve my dream.