A Journey of Waiting, Hope, and Belonging

For more than three decades, Ms. Inn Khamyoung has carried a quiet but heavy burden—the uncertainty of not truly belonging anywhere.

Born in 1984, Inn’s childhood was shaped by sacrifice. At just eight years old, she crossed into Thailand with her aunt, not for school or play, but to help care for her aunt’s children. Thailand became her home, yet without official recognition, it was a home lived in the shadows.

In 1999, she was registered in the Thai population system and given an identification number beginning with “6–.” It was a small step, but it did not grant her the full rights or security that others take for granted. Every time she tried to move forward, another barrier appeared.

When Thailand opened a pathway for undocumented individuals to apply for permanent residency (PR), Inn’s heart filled with hope. With support from ADRA’s project assistant, she began the long process in 2017. But errors in her documents stalled her application. She tried again in 2019—accepted at the district office, yet never moved further. For years, her life remained on hold.

Still, Inn did not give up. With ADRA walking beside her, she resubmitted her application in 2022. This time, her case finally moved step by step—provincial level, central government, background checks. She waited. And waited. Seven long years passed.

Then came a turning point. On October 29, 2024, the Thai Cabinet passed a resolution addressing the status of undocumented people. Once again, ADRA stood with Inn, resubmitting her application in July 2025. Just weeks later, on July 16, 2025, Inn’s hope turned into reality—she was officially granted permanent residency.

Holding her PR card in her hands, Inn could finally breathe deeply. After a lifetime of uncertainty, she now belongs.

At ADRA, we believe Justice. Compassion. Love. are not just words—they are actions that change lives. Inn’s story is a reminder that behind every document, every waiting period, is a human being longing for dignity, stability, and hope.

✨ With your support, more people like Inn can step out of the shadows and into a future of belonging.