Nestled in South Thailand, SOS Children’s Village Hat Yai, Songkhla was established as the second SOS Children’s Village in 1990. Consisting of 12 family houses, the village formed a small community that provides loving homes and support to children who have lost parental care.

Since 2011, DHL Group has partnered with SOS Children’s Villages, and Teach for All in 70 countries as part of their GoTeach program to foster the employability of young people worldwide. Besides training workshops and online courses focusing on job interviews, curriculum vitae (CV) writing, and financial literacy, annual camps are hosted in Thailand to help young people improve their employability.

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of GoTeach partnership with SOS Children’s Villages Thailand last year, the annual GoTeach camp, held in Hatyai from 3 to 5 June 2023, featured three former SOS alumni, also known as care leavers, who returned home to share their experiences in the working world with other children in the village. Renuka Chailangkarn (Ray), Tatpicha Akssawan (Pang), and Nuntakorn Saitongcorm (Neua) returned to their roots to share their diverse experiences in the working world.

"Working in the city, I feel that time flies by, but whenever I return to SOS Children’s Village, I feel like my pace of life slows down,” said Ray. “I am happy and proud to have grown up here where the mentoring and support system has given me many opportunities, and I’m happy to give back to the community by sharing these experiences with my fellow brothers and sisters.”

Leaving the nest

In each SOS Children's Village, groups of children who lost parental care are cared for in family homes by women who have dedicated their lives to being mothers. Within the family unit, each mother raises a generation of children as her own, caring for their physical and emotional needs from infancy to adulthood.

Children in the care of SOS Children’s Villages typically leave the villages when they reach 18 years of age, but the teachings from their mothers have equipped them with skills and values that will accompany them for life.

Renuka Chailanga (Ray): Taking the initiative

As the eldest in her house, Renuka Chailanga recalled learning a lot from taking care of her siblings and making big decisions with her village mother growing up. This experience made her an independent thinker with the courage to take the initiative.

Since 2015, Ray has participated in several GoTeach camps yearly, including the online internship and mentorship camp in 2020, during the pandemic. As she had graduated around the years of the pandemic, Ray found that the skills she learned during the online course helped her navigate the working world more confidently.

"I was impressed with the GoTeach training every time, and I saw the dedication of the DHL volunteers who organized the events,” said Ray, adding that while preparing for job interviews, she applied the relevant techniques recommended during the GoTeach courses.

In 2020, Renuka graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in English for Communication from the Prince of Songkhla University, Surat Thani Campus Faculty of Business Administration, and joined the DHL team fresh out of graduation.

“I was always very intrigued by DHL’s vibrant company culture, which I witnessed during GoTeach camps. After graduation, I applied for an internship with DHL eCommerce’s Customer Service department. Fortunately, the company saw my potential and gave me a chance to convert to a full-time employee,” said Ray.

Tatpicha Aksornsawang (Pang): Navigating steep learning curves with tough love

A shy and quiet dreamer, 25-year-old Tatpicha Aksornsawang, also known as Pang, kept to herself growing up, a source of worry for her mother who noted how distracted she was, and her reluctance to socialize with others.

Through her mother’s quiet support and firm honesty, Pang slowly improved her communication and people skills. She was unafraid to give Pang the tough love she needed and ensured Pang would graduate by supporting her. Her mother’s firm discipline led Pang to inherit a strong work ethic at an early age, slowly learning to take ownership of her work.

“Growing up in SOS Children’s Villages Thailand has taught me to be a kind and determined person. It has strengthened my work ethic, making me a responsible team player and a hard worker. All the training I have received here has been applied in my life, so I can work well with others when I enter society,” shared Pang.

In particular, the mentorship and internship camp in 2020, and an online training camp in 2021 helped prepare Pang to become a successful job seeker.

“During the GoTeach camp, the DHL volunteers and instructors guided me through the process of writing my résumé and a memorable cover letter, and they taught me how to present my personality during job interviews,” said Pang.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design from Thaksin University in 2022, Pang started working as a content creative at a home and garden company. She faced a steep learning curve when she first joined the industry as little guidance was available, and learning was very much self-initiated. Adapting quickly, she took it upon herself to learn new software and improve her skills in photography and videography.

“At present, the working world is changing rapidly every day. To keep up with this change, I intend to upskill myself in my field to develop new skills, grow in my current position and increase my opportunities in the future,” said Pang.

And when working life gets tough, Pang finds comfort in coming home to her mother, brothers, and sisters.

"Even though I have grown up to become a self-reliant professional, I still call my mother to air my grievances and tell her about my work life, and nothing brings me greater comfort than when I come home to visit my family on the weekends,” said Pang.

Nuntakorn Saitongcorm (Neua): Work happily and never stop improving yourself

“My mother would describe me as a mischievous child growing up,” said 24-year-old Nuntakorn Saitongcorm (Neua) rather sheepishly. He recalled getting into trouble often as a young boy, and how his mother would always respond firmly but kindly, correcting his behavior patiently.

“She always told me that one of the steps you are walking might change your life. You may not see it change with one kilometer, but over time, you will see that you are treading on an entirely different path,” said Neua. With this lesson in mind, he developed a great resolve to work on his personal growth constantly.

During his college years, Neua dreamed of serving in the civil service, so he chose to study at the Faculty of Education, graduating in 2018 with a vocational certificate from the Electronics department of Songkhla College of Technology.

However, he soon found himself restless and unsuitable for the education field, and developed a new goal to become a soldier, working hard to pass the cadet exam.

“I am delighted to be back at SOS Children’s Village Hatyai. Every time I come home, I see the village children have grown physically and mentally, and I hope our experience will be helpful to them along their journey,” said Neua. 

Returning to their roots

Growing pains are inevitable on their road to independence, but these care leavers have learned to make their way in the world.

“Many of the GoTeach activities highlighted essential employability skills that helped me anticipate and adapt to challenges so I could step into the world of work confidently,” shared Neua, who attended two GoTeach camps in 2016 and 2019. “Whether it’s a career in the education field or my current military leadership role, the skills I learned during the camps have enabled me to put them into practice and cultivate good habits and a strong mindset.”

“I would like to thank the DHL GoTeach volunteers for imparting their advice and knowledge, which I have applied to my work. It’s a great resource to have them around, and to my siblings, I hope they enjoy the offers and opportunities offered during their many GoTeach camps and other activities,” said Pang.