I am a physically handicapped student, deaf, mute and have only nine fingers, as a finger was amputated due to a motorcycle accident when I was about two years old. My right little finger was run over by a motorcycle.

 

After her parents got divorced, Pan and her younger sister
had to live with their father in a small, one-room house.

 
My family is poor and I presently live with my father and a younger sister in a small, one-room house. My father is rarely home because of his menial work. Therefore, my younger sister and I have to stay at different relative’s house every now and then. My parents are divorce and my mother moved out to live with her new family in Surin province.

My father is a low-paid menial worker with unstable income. At the end of October last year there was a big flood that damaged our house and belongings. During that period, my father was unable to go out to work and we had to live through the worst time of our life.

 

Many times when her father is not at home, Pan and her younger sister
had live alone or had to stay at a relative's house.

Even though I am unable hear and unable to speak, I have friends who have been my classmates since kindergarten who help me at school. I am also fortunate to have a teacher who taught me how to read lips and taught me sign language as well. Despite my physical handicap, I help with various chores at school, such as cleaning and performing other tasks I am asked to do.  After school and during weekends, I do my homework and help with household chores such as filling water into empty bottles, sweeping the house, mopping the house, watering plants and others.

 

Despite Pan’s disabilities, she likes going to school to study and
do other school activities just like other normal students.

I like to draw and paint because it helps me focus my mind and it is relaxing at the same time. When I grow up, I want to be a hairdresser as it is one of the jobs that people with my disabilities can do well. I can earn money and can help me to support my family.
 
I applied for a scholarship from EDF Foundation to study in Grade 9 for the academic year 2023. It will help our family in so many ways, including paying for my education If I get to receive a scholarship, I will make the most out of it.