Options for Ma Way’s Family
Written by Lay Phoprasobchok with Robin Hogan
March 2024
An account of a single mother toiling to meet the needs of herself and her children is unfortunately a story that most everyone at GCA has become familiar with. However, we are acutely aware that each person’s story is not only important, but vital to the restorative narrative that God is writing using the reach of Global Child Advocates.
When GCA met Ma Way and her daughters, Moh (13) and Hhin (8), the three had already endured years of almost daily domestic violence at the hands of the person who should have been a provider and a protector: Ma Way’s husband, the girls’ father. The physical and mental abuse they suffered was not the only hardship the family faced. Because of unemployment, the family had not been able to afford to send the two girls to school.
Fearing a continued cycle of abuse, Ma Way made the decision to move herself and her daughters away from her husband. However, this act of bravery forced her to take out loans to cover the cost of renting a home and covering their basic needs. Additionally, the fact remained that Moh and Hhin could not attend school because there was no money for tuition. Ma Way could feel the situation becoming increasingly desperate.
GCA was there for Ma Way when she felt out of options.
Thankfully, Ma Way came to GCA at this moment in her life. She wanted information about her options~ information on how to keep her family safely together. She shared with GCA staff that she wanted to be able to send her daughters to school to give them a future and that she also wanted to pay back her debts and get back on her feet.
GCA was able to conduct an assessment of Ma Way’s situation and identified the most urgent needs that could be supported: covering rental costs, supporting daily life with basic household needs, helping to enroll the girls in school, and providing emotional support through counseling and training sessions on child development and parenting strategies.
Through her participation in these programs, Ma Way’s emotional well-being is beginning to improve gradually and she and her girls are together. Ma Way has had periods of successful part-time employment and she remains dedicated to paying her debts. She has even been able to build a house so she is no longer burdened by rental costs.
GCA recognizes that true healing and restoration takes time and we are committed to supporting Ma Way’s family throughout their healing process. It’s an honor to witness Ma Way, Moh, and Hhin feeling empowered through dignified work and education as they begin to stand on their own.