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This is an extract from an article about a Buddhist wat which helps many orphaned slum children.

'I grew up in Wat Bang Sai Kai community. I've had a Saeng Thien scholarship [given by the local community to needy students] since I was in secondary school. I graduated three years ago, and have since been working here as a volunteer teacher,' said Kanya Ratanarak, 20, who is now studying part-time to be a science teacher at Rajabhat Institute Ban Somdej campus.

'I'm glad I can help at the centre. It's a way to show my gratitude to Saeng Thien,' she added.

Kanya will graduate in two years and she wants to pursue a career in her field of study, but she plans to continue participating in the activities of Saeng Thien.

'I belong to this community. Kids around here are like my younger sisters and brothers,' she beamed.

Kanya, with her bright future, is one success story of the Saeng Thien group.

Bangkok Post, 9 June 1998

Tasks Answer the following questions about Kanya's story. What is Kanya's background? How did she overcome this disadvantage? What are her ambitions? From the evidence given here, what are some of her values? Why do you think the newspaper featured Kanya's life in this article?

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