The High Vocational Innovation Scholarship by the Equitable Education Fund (EEF) Thailand has transformed the lives of young aspiring healthcare professionals across Southern Thailand. More than financial support, it provides a bridge from uncertainty to opportunity through Assistant Nursing Certificate programs at leading educational institutions. Determination, resilience, and the desire to give back—these traits define every recipient. Many come from families with limited means, for whom higher education once seemed out of reach; for some, the scholarship became the decisive factor in turning their dreams into realities.
Though all recipients completed the program, each journey is unique: some face geographic isolation or cultural barrier, others bear the weight of family responsibilities; some pursue full nursing degrees, others aim to serve local communities or work in urban hospitals. Shared perseverance shines through, yet every story glimmers with personal triumphs. The following accounts illuminate how opportunity, courage, and support converge to spark transformative change.
Nurhayati “Nu” Mingdure and Jamjuree “Fah” Praipetch illustrate how determination can turn uncertainty into purpose. Mingdure, a graduate of Princess of Naradhiwas University, aspires not merely to work as an assistant nurse but to return as a nurse educator, inspiring others as her teachers inspired her. Praipetch, previously finding herself adrift after high school and facing a future of rubber tapping alongside her grandparents, discovered a path to higher education she had long thought closed. Their stories demonstrate how the scholarship transforms ambition into tangible direction.
Looking back, Mingdure reflected, “This scholarship was my first glimpse of light along a very dark path. It allowed me to study, support my family, and dream beyond the limits I once saw. I cannot stop here; I must climb higher, become a nurse educator, and give back what was given to me—knowledge, guidance, and the chance to step into the light. Every child like me should know that the EEF’s High Vocational Innovation Scholarship can be their light too.” With equal resolve, Praipetch shared, “Graduating, I will work immediately and save every Baht to continue my nursing studies. I want to return to Trang, care for my family and grandparents, and support myself through education. The EEF’s High Vocational Innovation Scholarship has eased our burdens and allowed me to save for the future. I hope this initiative continues, so that others like me can prove that determination and courage make anything possible.”
Najmee Ji and Ni-arasrafatih Amoudari both turned financial limitations into pathways for growth. Ji, completing her program at Princess of Naradhiwas University, became the most highly educated member of her household, bringing pride to her family and community. Amoudari, who pursued education relentlessly beyond lower secondary school, prepared for a professional career in elderly care at Princess of Naradhiwas University. Their experiences show how opportunity combined with persistence yields both personal advancement and community impact.
Recalling her journey, Ji said, “Although my family encouraged me to study, further education seemed impossible. The EEF’s High Vocational Innovation Scholarship changed that. Beyond professional knowledge, it taught me life skills. I plan to work in Bangkok, where opportunities for new graduates exist, and I am confident I can meet city challenges, supported by friends who share this journey.” Complementing her path, Amoudari added, “Since my sister received the EEF’s Equity Fund scholarship, I have understood the power of opportunity. Without it, my education might have ended after lower secondary school. Completing this program fills me with gratitude and motivates me to give back. I aim to be the best assistant nurse I can be, contributing to individuals, the profession, and society at large.”
Nateuro Arde and Nichanan Thanyupak faced rigorous coursework and personal challenges at Princess of Naradhiwas University. Arde overcame demanding academics through perseverance, guided by instructors and peers, while Thanyupak converted uncertainty into competence, balancing studies with the responsibilities of supporting her single mother. Together, they exemplify resilience, illustrating how opportunity and determination create the foundations for future impact.
With pride, Arde recounted, “I am proud to have completed this program despite many obstacles. The support of friends and teachers carried me through. What I gained goes beyond knowledge; it includes care, collaboration, and resilience. I hope to study at the Faculty of Education, as I love teaching children. For now, I will work, save, and apply my skills to care for my family and community, confident that I can make a difference.” In parallel, Thanyupak observed, “I feel proud to have completed the program. My studies transformed me from dependent to capable of caring for others. I now plan to work in Phuket, near my hometown in Krabi, supporting my family while applying my skills. This marks the start of a life moving from scholarship recipient to creating opportunities for others.”
Fatimah Benbaka and Thitaporn Tohden harnessed financial constraints as a springboard for achievement. Benbaka, raised in a large family by a single mother, once imagined a future limited to casual labor, and the scholarship opened the door for her to formal education and a career in healthcare. Meanwhile, Tohden, shifting from accounting after recognizing limited job prospects, dedicated herself fully to nursing studies at Walailak University, graduating with a GPA of 3.98. Their experiences show how focus and commitment transform limitations into tangible success.
Benbaka reflected, “Completing this program has transformed my life. Before the scholarship, I had no direction and would have taken any work to support my family. Now, I see opportunities and feel empowered to continue, aiming to advance in nursing and become a professional. I want other young people to keep striving; with persistence and willingness to learn, obstacles become stepping stones.” Echoing this, Tohden said, “I told my mother I wanted a field where jobs are accessible, so I chose nursing. Although my family could not afford tuition, the scholarship encouraged me. After completing the program, I will work to save money, pursue a bachelor’s degree, and eventually enroll in the two-and-a-half-year nursing program to become a professional nurse.”
Nihafish Nipho and Ploy Klatha-lae embraced the scholarship as a transformative first step. Nipho gained hands-on medical experience and academic insight, aspiring to mentor future nurses. On the other hand, Klatha-lae, the first ever Moken recipient, overcame geographic isolation and unstable income, leaving her island home to pursue the program. Both demonstrate how courage, guidance, and persistence can surmount previously insurmountable barriers.
Nipho remarked, “Studying as an assistant nurse has been the first step toward my dream. Perseverance can turn limited opportunities into achievements. The guidance I received inspires me to return one day as an educator, sharing knowledge and hope. Opportunities exist for those courageous enough to reach for them.” Reflecting on her journey, Klatha-lae shared, “I once worked washing dishes at the park, and income was unpredictable when the island closed. Starting the program felt overwhelming and lonely. Graduating fills me with joy. I am eager to return home, using my skills to care for a community often reluctant to travel to the mainland. My journey shows that with determination and support, even the hardest challenges can be overcome.”
The journeys of these young healthcare pioneers demonstrate that when opportunity meets determination, the impact extends far beyond individual success. Through the EEF’s High Vocational Innovation Scholarship, Southern Thailand has nurtured a generation of caregivers, educators, and community leaders who embody resilience, skill, and compassion. Each graduate not only transforms their own life but strengthens the fabric of their communities, bringing essential healthcare, inspiring education, and renewed hope to families and neighborhoods across the region. Their achievements illustrate a powerful societal ripple effect: investing in young talent creates not only professionals, but catalysts for lasting social change, proving that equitable access to education is a cornerstone of healthier, stronger, and more vibrant communities.
