Bringing hope to 12 year old Khamphama

Khamphama, 12, rushes into her brother’s house, grabs a handful of salt and runs back outside. Her best friend has just returned home and she needs to offer her a snack.

“She comes home at 5pm every day,” Khamphama says. “She always comes at the same time.”

Khamphama’s best friend is named Red – a cow.

As the cow comes near, Khamphama holds out her hand filled with salt. Red sticks out her pink tongue and takes a long lick. She continues licking until Khamphama’s hand is soaked, and the salt is gone.

“Cows love salt,” Khamphama says matter-of-factly.

And Khamphama loves Red.

“Red is always obeying me and knows when it is time to return back home every day. Especially it seems that Red understandands and listens when I talk. And it’s very easy to look after her  when I bring Red to the field,” Khamphama says.

World Vision donated Red to Khamphama’s family last year through the Gift Catalogue programme. The animal has become a symbol of hope.

“I plan to raise the cow for my younger sister’s future. It, and the calves it will have, can support her to graduate from university,” says Khamphama’s older brother.

In Khamphama’s home, a little hope goes a long way. Four years ago, Khamphama’s mother died after having a severe stomach ache. Heartbroken, her father decided to leave the family and become a Buddhist monk*.

Her mother’s death altered everything. It changed how Khamphama thought about the future.

Dreaming of the future

“I dream of becoming a doctor because I would like to cure sick people, especially people in my family. And poor people who lives in remote area, these people are having a difficult time reaching the hospital,” Khamphama says.

After her mother’s death, two of her brothers were sent away to live with cousins in another village. Khamphama remained behind and moved in with her oldest brother, who was already married at the time.

“Sometimes I feel lonely when I see other friends hugging their mothers,” says Khamphama, a sponsored child. “My brother loves me but not as my mother did.”

Khamphama’s brother and sister-in-law, who work as rice and cassava farmers, also have a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter.

Khamphama says she listens to her brother and sister-in-law the same way she would a parent. She helps take care of the baby. And she makes sure that Red is well fed, has enough water and is safely in her pen every evening.

“When World Vision started working in Khamphama’s village, the community identified her as a child who needed help. Khamphama’s family was one of the first to receive a cow,” says Khamsawang Phonasa, a World Vision food security assistant. Sixteen other families in her village also received cattle last year.

Training in animal care for all families

World Vision is also helping make sure the cow is healthy. World Vision provided training on animal vaccination and animal care to every family who received a cow.

Somthong, Khamphama’s brother, says the vaccinations means the animals are healthier and reproduce faster.

“The number of animals is increasing in the village,” Somthong says.

World Vision is also helping Khamphama go to school. Khamphama is currently studying in Grade 4.

"I am able to study. I have self-confidence. And I have many friends"

“I am happy being a registered child. I am able to study. I have self-confidence. And I have many friends in school,” Khamphama says.

Finally, World Vision is helping make sure families have enough food to eat. They have provided seeds and training so families can have home gardens.

“I am happy and thank you for supporting my family, especially for helping my younger sister to have a better future,” says Khamphama’s brother.

Note: * In Buddhist tradition, when someone loses a loved one, it is not uncommon for them to become a monk.