A Journey of Courage and Gratitude

My name is Seesuda Wengsaku, and I am a proud alumna of House of Grace. When I was just five years old, my parents divorced, and shortly after, my father was imprisoned due to drug-related issues. I was raised by my mother, and we struggled with poverty throughout my childhood. At the age of 14, I came to House of Grace, and it changed my life.

Through their care and support, I was given the opportunity to complete my bachelor’s degree, something I once thought was out of reach. I am so grateful to House of Grace and my sponsor family. Their love, encouragement, and unwavering support have not only blessed my life but also transformed the future of my family. They have truly changed my destiny.

In September 2019, I left Thailand to take part in the Work and Holiday program in Australia a cultural exchange initiative that allowed me to experience a new country, earn money, and grow both personally and professionally. I joined the program because I was looking for a chance to explore the world, gain new experiences, and most importantly, support my family back home.

During my time in Australia, I worked in a variety of roles from helping on a farm, to housekeeping, to work in warehouse and to work at Woolworths supermarket. Each job taught me valuable life lessons: how to adapt quickly, communicate with people from different backgrounds, and gain confidence in unfamiliar environments. I earned between 25 to 30 Australian dollars per hour, which gave me the financial stability to save and send money home to support my two younger brothers’ education and help my family live a better life. That gave me a deep sense of purpose and pride.

But the experience wasn’t only about work. I had the opportunity to travel to places I had only seen in pictures. I went hiking through stunning landscapes and tried things I never imagined I would. Each adventure reminded me how much the world has to offer and how important it is to step out of my comfort zone.

Living and working abroad taught me independence and resilience. I’ve grown stronger, more capable, and more confident in myself. The decision to leave home wasn’t easy, but I knew that working in Thailand wouldn’t provide enough income to truly support my family. Choosing the Work and Holiday program was a bold step one I took with hope and determination.

Looking back now, I know it was the right choice. Not just for me, but for the future I want to build for the people I love.