Sineenart

Sineenart was living with her divorced mother who was the sole family caretaker in the isolated Hmong community of Mae Sa Mai.  Drug abuse was rampant and life was hard in the village which is located 20 winding kilometers from Chiang Mai. Not longer for a year her mother got re-married and moved to live with her step father in the village of another province which is far away from Mae Sa Mai village around 150-180 kilometers. Leaving three children stayed with their grandparents who were elderly and were not able to care for them. Sineenart was caring for her two younger siblings and the 3 children were neglected and very much at risk. She worked in the fields in exchange for the food that she and her siblings ate. The situation was severe but she bravely endured the hardships and did her best to cope and provide for herself and her two younger brothers. 

Sineenart was 10 years old when she first arrived at Bahn Ruam Jai with her 2 younger brothers, accompanied by the village headman who was seeking a safe and secure place for the children.

Sineenart and her brother who was 8 years old were with Bahn Ruam Jai. Her youngest brother of 5 years old stayed at Home for Boys, an orphanage residence which is run by the government.

Getting accustomed to the structure of daily life was a challenge for Sineenart who had been on her own much of the time in the village. However, with time, she fell into the daily routine and made new friends that she expects to have for the rest of her life. It took about six months for her to catch up in school as she lacked formal education in the village. Sineenart became a sincere and dedicated student who loved to learn all that she could both in school and at the project.

She was particularly fond of the farming activities at the project and lists gardening as one of her favourite activities. She also cites fashion, sales and marketing as her passions. After leaving BRJ, Sineenart started a degree in retail marketing at Chiang Mai Open University while working at a famous coffee shop. She is now employed with a furniture retailer. Her friendly demeanor and good communication skills would indicate that she is pursuing the right path!

Sineenart is nothing less than a shining example of the value of the Bahn Ruam Jai in meeting the needs of seriously disadvantaged Indigenous children. By providing not only the basic needs but also strong emotional and social support, Sineenart was able to access her potential and pursue her passions and talents with confidence and focus. While discussing her journey she clearly conveys a deep appreciation of BRJ and its staff. She is particularly grateful to Khun Seewigaa who she said, "is like a mother", as she wiped away her tears.