Friends and Family,
In today's newsletter, I've got an amazing story to share with you. It's a tale that explores a future filled with hope and positivity. A future chronicle of the Utom Children that we hold close to our hearts and actively nurture and endorse. Get ready to be captivated by this inspiring narrative!
As Krisada took the stage, her heart pounded in rhythm with the silent anticipation of the crowd. "I am an Utom student," she announced. The audience clapped, appreciating the eloquence of this 22-year-old woman who spoke English with such fluency. With those words, she invited her listeners into the world she came from - Utom, a legendary children's home nestled high in a northern Thai mountain peak, almost hidden from the world.
Utom was not a place one would stumble upon. Tucked away in a far corner of the northern Thai mountains, the children's home was barely accessible by vehicle, yet it resonated with a sense of belonging and warmth. In 2023, Krisada had been one of the children who called this remote place home.
"We had a simple life," Krisada continued, "Our source of electricity was a single power line, stretching out for a thousand meters to the nearby school. It was just enough to power the pump for the well, drilled 120 meters deep to ensure we had drinking and bathing water, one refrigerator, and lights in the church. Our meals were humble, mostly consisting of rice, eggs, a single local vegetable, and on occasion, pork." Their budget for feeding the 75 children was a meager $866.00 per month, all donated by the generous Karen For Christ Foundation.
"But everything changed in 2023, the year of the Great Transformation," Krisada's voice grew stronger, "When our small village attracted global attention."
The transformation was triggered by help arriving from a tiny foundation in Ridgewood, New Jersey in America. Their efforts initiated a new era in the history of Utom, forming a grand learning center that overlooked the vast mountain scape. This center, a symbol of hope and progress, attracted educators, donors, foundations, and enthusiasts from around the world.
Suddenly, Utom was no longer a forgotten village but an international interest. Families from villages as far as 100 kilometers away were clamoring for a bed for their child in one of the three dormitories. The center also provided basic accommodations for sponsors, teachers, and visitors, turning Utom into a bustling hub of learning and cultural exchange.
"In Utom, we were 75 children hailing from over 40 different villages. Some of us were orphans, while others had surviving parents who, sadly, could not afford to raise us," Krisada shared. Every year during the school break, the children would return to their villages, sharing their newfound agricultural skills, and teaching them to grow food crops they had never grown before.
"Within three years," Krisada's voice was filled with pride, "We saw an incredible ripple effect. The 40 villages, home to thousands of people from the Karen Hill Tribe and several other mountain tribes, began to learn from us. From us - the children they had sent to Utom."
"Education transformed us from being dependents to changemakers," Krisada concluded, "We, the children of Utom, became the sparks that ignited a transformative flame across our mountain homes."
Krisada concluded her story on a high note, "Today, after graduating university, I work in a language school where I am a partner. Utom did not just provide me with a home; it ignited my passion for English and paved my way to a future I could never have dreamt of."
The audience erupted into applause, deeply moved by Krisada's journey. Hers was the story of a tiny village that overcame all odds, the story of 75 children whose lives were transformed by the miracle of education, their strong belief in God, and most importantly, it was a testament to the power of hope and transformation. Join us in igniting transformation. Support Utom and empower more children to become changemakers through education. Together, we can make a difference.
Jimmy Kostro
The Kostro Foundation
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