University honours 15 women as mothers of the year

It is this unconditional love for her three-year-old son Theeraphorn, who has Down's syndrome, that made Thongyoo turn down a woman's offer of Bt50,000 in exchange for her child when he was seven or eight months old.

That sum would have been a godsend for her family, because as municipality cleaners in Kanchanaburi, she and her husband do not earn much. However, Thongyoo told the woman she would never consider giving up her son even though she had seen a neighbour accept Bt2,000 for her child.

"I'm happy with his development, though he's slower than other children," she said. "I carried him for nine months and will not give him to anyone. I can bear all difficulties, because no other woman can treat him well."

Mahidol University is honouring 15 mothers this year to celebrate Mother's Day. Of the 15, seven will get named "outstanding", three the "environmental caring" and five will become "mums of the century".

The university announced the winners at a press conference at its Salaya campus yesterday. Each mother will be given a Bt10,000 cash prize and a certificate by HRH Princess Soamsawali.

Thongyoo hopes Theeraphorn will be able to get an education so he can look after himself once his parents have passed on. "He can eat and drink by himself, and can even tell me what he wants, though he cannot speak long sentences clear," Thongyoo explained. "The doctors and I are trying to find a school suited to his needs. My other two children will pursue higher education because they aspire for a bright future."

Apart from Thongyoo, there are three other women who have devoted their lives to their disabled children.

Home Phukhaeng, 67, has spent more than 20 years taking care of her four kids, three of whom suffer from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and one from Down's syndrome.

Wai Joompaeng, 61, has spent most of her life working hard as a farmer to take care of her three children, who suffer from neurological problems.

Srinuan Ninrat, 67, has also spent most of her life working on paddy fields to provide for her mentally disabled and partially blind daughter. In fact, she worked so hard that she ended up given birth to five of her six kids in the fields.

Meanwhile, Nanthawan Khiew-ngamdee, 57, was named an Environmental Caring Mum because of her dedication to environmental conservation. As a member of the Tha Chin Basin Committee in Samut Sakhon province, she has worked to encourage people to help conserve the Tha Chin River, campaigned for the growth of mangrove forests and set up a network of students to monitor water quality.

"I always teach my two children to conserve water and mangrove forests. My son has helped educate students about the importance of mangrove forests and my daughter tries to save water," Nanthawan said. "About 700 students in 40 schools along the river have worked with me. I'm proud that I can teach youngsters to protect the environment."