Meepia, formerly stateless, Thailand Meepia Chumee’s birth was never registered. Born to a Thai mother and a stateless father, she was abandoned as a baby and lived every day with uncertainty for more than three decades. She grew up in rural northern Thailand and was raised by her grandmother and uncle, who were also stateless. Because she was unregistered and unable to access the services afforded to Thai citizens, Meepia was forced to leave school after second grade. She soon went to work to help her family survive, toiling on local farms for less than US$3 per day. The entirety of young Meepia’s world was her village. When she tried to travel farther away, she was stopped and fined by police for not having an identification card. “It was extremely difficult,” she said. “Sometimes I felt disheartened and asked myself why I didn’t have the same things as everyone else.” But Meepia didn’t give up. In 2018, when she was 30 years, one of her neighbours told her that her birth mother was in a nearby area. Meepia saw it as a chance to resolve her lingering challenges and contacted her. After taking a DNA test with her mother, Meepia took a risk and travelled 17 kilometres to a district office to submit the results and other paperwork. She waited three long years to hear some good news – but was ultimately informed that her application wasn’t accepted. But there was serendipity in Meepia’s unfortunate tale: Meefah, a caseworker for a grassroots legal organization, heard the story and decided to help. Meefah, who had experienced statelessness herself, works for Legal Community Network and Legal Advocacy Walk, both of which work closely with UNHCR. She helped Meepia complete her paperwork and gather the backup they needed to resolve her situation – including Meepia’s mother, a village elder, legal volunteers, and even local government officials. With this assembled support, Meepia was finally able to procure the registration she needed, which led to Thai citizenship in August 2022. Today, she is exploring new job opportunities with confidence. “The day I held the Thai ID card in my hand, I felt happiness and massive relief,” Meepia explained. ©UNHCR/Rachaphon Riansiri “Even though I may not have money like others, I now have the same rights as them. I don’t have to live in fear anymore.” 36 #IBELONG