I’ve spent the last two days in Bangkok with Golf sorting out her university.

Golf is one of the brightest kids I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. She is so switched on and diligent, more so than most of the adults I know. If you give Golf a task, despite the language barrier, she will understand it immediately and follow it to it’s conclusion meticulously and without exception.

Golf and Nong Mail

Over the past four years I have been astounded by her tenacity, her generosity, and her bravery, not just when she lost her toe, but in many other horrible situations that have been inflicted upon her. She is an incredible soul and a wonderful person, and I am honoured that she has come into my life and become part of my family.

As is typical of Golf, not wanting to bother anybody and with low expectations created by having been raised in a poor family, she had enrolled at a local university in the south near her hometown. She made this choice based on the fact that she has no money, and despite our promises to help her, could not conceive that someone like her could go to a good university. We talked about it and decided that we will make it happen by hook or by crook, and so she and I went up to the city and enrolled her in a very good university where she will get a good degree and excellent English language courses.

I didn’t want her choices to be based on money, so we will find a way to pay for everything and I am eternally grateful to the most generous of souls who will help us with her tuition fees this first term.

This amazing child is setting out on a path which has the potential to change her life, and have an impact on the situation of her whole family. I know that she will treat this opportunity as a gift from God, and work as hard as she possibly can to fulfil her potential.

I am so proud of her and I cannot wait to see how brightly her light will shine in the future.

Related posts:

1. My niece Golf loses her toe