Hardworking girl keeps family together

The Nation, Amnat Charoen

Mathayom Maed School director Niyom Rakphrom says despite her hardships, the girl is an excellent student. She has a gradepoint average of 3.9. He's hoping others can help Thanont Suwamart and her family with donations.

Daily Xpress visited the province to meet this remarkable girl and her family.

Mother Saichol, 45, lives with daughters Thanont and Wimol, 16. She divorced 13 years ago and has taken care of the children until now.

Early this year, Saichol was diagnosed with extensive breast cancer. All her savings have been spent on treatment.

So, Thanont has found odd jobs, managing to earn about Bt60 a day to support the family of three.

Niyom says Thanont is poor, but her academic ability is outstanding.

He praises her and says she is a "grateful child, travelling back and forth from school to home during the lunch break to feed her mother and working after school to support her family".

The school allows her to sell cosmetics to fellow students to earn a little more.