In a run-down rented house on the outskirts of Tak's Mae Sot district over 50 orphans live in cramped conditions. It's the only home 17-year-old Pawarit has ever known but he realises how fortunate he and his siblings are to be there.
"Our parents passed away when I was very small. Here, I still have a chance to live with my younger sister and two younger brothers as a family," he said.
"We go to school as much as we can and we have Thai citizenship too. Most other kids here aren't that lucky."
Pawarit's 15-year-old sister Nuntawan, lives in the girls' home, in another rented house nearby, with another 50 young girls who, like her are orphans or abandoned children.
Similar to her elder brother, she gets outstanding grades at school and has high hopes for her future.
Pawarit and Nuntawan never call their home an orphanage. Despite the lack of space, the austere environment and the chores they face, they know they can count on the love, care and educational support of those who run SAW Home.
Children react with enthusiasm outside the construction site of their new home in a sub-district of Mae Tao. The children live, play, study and grow together in their current home in Mae Sot district which has become cramped. They also do not have space to play or quiet corners where they can read and study.
SAW stands for the Social Action for Children, a non-profit foundation which provides shelter for orphans, abandoned kids and at-risk children in Mae Sot, a district on the Thai-Myanmar border.
In this area there exists a large number of orphans and abandoned, migrant and stateless children in need of state welfare and educational support. Many were abandoned at birth at Mae Sot or Mae Tao hospitals. Others need rescuing from dire poverty or violent families that put them at risk of human trafficking and drug abuse.
The foundation also runs SAW School, a learning centre for migrant youths, as well as a shelter for women who suffer from domestic violence or are afflicted with HIV/Aids.
At present, SAW is taking care of about 170 children aged 3 to 19, including a handful of children with special needs. For the past 17 years, the foundation has provided care to more than 12,000 vulnerable children and women.
It has not been an easy task as ethnic prejudice is rife. Although SAW provides help to marginalised children regardless of their nationality, the local perception is that it is only taking care of migrant children. The constant refrain is why help the migrants when there are still many needy Thai children desperate for assistance.
The answer can be found in a royal speech by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on the subject of providing education for refugee children in 2002. Depriving them of this produces a deep sense of alienation that can later result in high social costs, cautioned the Princess.
"Economically, the question of post-primary education is not a question of "Can we afford to do it?'' but rather a question of "Can we afford not to do it?" she said.
The children's self-worth increases in proportion to their acquisition of new job skills and societal acceptance, she pointed out. "Thus, the host country benefits by adding value to its own labour pool."
The royal compassion and earnest support for a child's basic right to an education led to a national policy to give free compulsory education to all children in Thailand regardless of their nationality, and in line with international standards.
Although the policy is a boon to marginalised and stateless children like those at SAW, the home is struggling to provide them with proper care and education. The costs are also rising as the children grow along with their need for higher education.
After finishing primary school in Mae Sot, the older children are sent to a public high school in Tak's Umphang district. Those who can enter university will get further support. Their tuition fees come from public donations and from the sale of SAW handicrafts and souvenirs.
In 2008, SAW received the Red Ribbon Award from the United Nations Development Programme for its work for marginalised children and women. In 2016, the foundation was also honoured with the Prachabodi Award from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.
Honours aside, SAW is facing a heavy responsibility to meet all the children's needs and aspirations.
"I want to be a nurse," said 14-year-old Methanee with a bright smile, full of hope. "I want to be able to help people. I will also come back to help SAW children."
"I want to be a diplomat," said 15-year-old Nuntawan.
Kalamae, 15, wants to be an organic farmer. "I want to grow safe food for people," he beamed.
"I want to be a football player," Soe Soe, 14, chimed in.
"I want to be a mechanic," said Soe Win, 18. "I like fixing things."
"I want to be a doctor. Do you think it will be possible?" 15-year-old Kupu wondered aloud.
Apart from safeguarding the kids' future and dealing with future legal struggles, especially for stateless children, SAW faces a more immediate problem: As the number of children at risk continues to rise in Mae Sot, which lacks a state-run home to provide care for them, the boys' and girls' homes run by SAW are getting ever-more crowded.
Each of the two rented houses has only two toilets to serve over 50 children. As there is only one supervisor per house, the older children must help take care of the younger ones and pitch in with household chores such as doing the laundry and cooking. SAW also has its own rice fields and vegetable plots to help reduce food costs.
According to Aye Mar, director of the SAW Foundation, the children will soon be moved to a more spacious home in the sub-district of Mae Tao.
"Nowadays, they are living in a cramped environment. They don't have space to play or quiet corners where they can read and study. We hope to give them a better quality of life."
During a recent visit to the construction site of their new home, the children jumped up and down with joy at the sight of the two nearly completed buildings.
Migrant youngsters also join activities in the fields.
"When will we move here?" they asked. "Will we get a playground of our own?"
Pyotan Da-e's eyes lit up with delight at the prospect of having her own bed, having spent her whole life sharing a mattress with other girls.
"It's the first time in my life to have a bed, to have some private space of my own," she said.
Ms Aye quietly watched the children's outward joy, listening to their hopes and dreams. The costs of the children's education, the new house, the food, the daily allowances, the public utilities, the future playground and study room occupy her mind day and night.
"Children everywhere have the same needs. They need love, care, safety and education," she said. "They need life opportunities. We are doing our best to give them what every child deserves."
Those who would like to make a donation to the SAW Foundation can deposit funds at Krungthai Bank, Robinson Branch, Mae Sot, Tak. The account name is Chuay Lua Thang Sangkhom Pua Dek Lae Satri (SAW) and the account number is 985-2-75142-5.
For more information please call 055-531-746 or email the foundation at saw.socialaction@gmail.com. Details are also available on the official website: www.sawfoundation.org.