His uncle died in the tsunami, and his aunt remarried a man who wanted Sittirachot to quit school and start working, which he did not want to do. A teacher found him a place at the Baan Than Namchai Foundation so he could continue his studies.

The orphanage was established with help from Australian and British volunteers for more than 30 children who lost parents to the tsunami.

“It is a place that has given me everything,” said Sittirachot, whose nickname is Game.

For the first two years…