| 1989 |
Research project about the sex trade in Thailand conducted
by Sompop Jantraka and Michiho Inagaki, a Japanese journalist.
From this research Sompop realized he could prevent vulnerable
girls being forced into the sex industry by funding their
education.
Established an educational fund project supported by the Japanese-based
Asian Children's Fund. The project was named Daughters' Education
Program. |
| 1990 |
| First group of 19 girls participated in the program. |
| 1991 |
Expanded to involve the hill tribe communities near Mae
Sai to support vulnerable Akha girls and their communities.
DEP became a member of the Taskforce to End Child Sexploitation
in Thailand. |
| 1992 |
Moved from rented housing to the Buddhist temple "Phomwiharn"
Started vocational training project with 9 girls.
Opened the program to accepting foreign volunteers from abroad. |
| 1993 |
| Moved to the current larger site in Mae Sai on borrowed
money. As support to run vocational training and alternatives
to the formal education system became available, the project
widened to incorporate projects other than the Daughters'
Education Program. Because of these expansion of the program's
focus the name was changed to Development and Education Program
for Daughters and Communities, Established. AIDS project funded
by NAPAC( Northern AIDS prevention and Care, via Australian
Embassy) |
| 1994 |
The UNICEF funded Leadership Training Program was initiated.
This program funded 80 young women over six years to participate
in educational and development activities, encouraging them
to become positive role models and community leaders.
Sompop Jantraka was granted membership to become and ASHOKA
fellow. Vocational training building opened (funded by the
Japanese Government). Official opening of the Mae Sai centre.
Attended by community and government representatives and the
Thai media. Buildings to house current projects and many children
had been completed.
Two other DEP sites in Chiang Rai were opened in Huai Krai
and Huai So. These sites house and support some of the girls
receiving DEP scholarships and some vocational training projects.
A day care school for local village children was established
to care of teaching basic literacy and numeracy to about 40
children unable to attend government schools. This project
is run by volunteers and older girls involved in the Leadership
Training Program.
The new vocational training building was built with funds
from the Japanese Embassy. The official opening was attended
by Thai and Japanese officials alike. |
| 1995 |
With the growth of the program, publicity of the plight
of children in the sex industry and the higher profile of
DEP,the Thai government acknowledged and approved the work
of Sompop Jantraka and his staff, giving DEP a higher community
profile. DEP moved from being a small unrecognized NGO to
being a role model organization with public support.
Joined a network of NGOs becoming members of the NGO committee,
NGOAIDS, Northern Network of Childrenfs and Women's Development
Groups (UNCWD) and IYF YouthNet.
Three more DEP sites were opened around Chiang Rai province.
These are located at Wiang Kaen, Phan and Mae Suai. DANIDA
funded DEP at these sites as well as public awareness campaign
through community participation about the problem of child
prostitution. The International Labour Organization funded
Media and Information Action Centre was established, providing
information about child labour, child sex work and AIDS to
many Chiang Rai children, schools and communities.
A small restaurant/ shop was built on the Mae Sai site with
donation from the Soroptimists. This is both a learning venture
and provides a useful service to girls, staff and visitors.
It aims to promote the concepts of self sufficiency and sustainability. |
| 1996-97 |
| Research on the children in the Mekong Basin continues,
supported by ILO(IPEC), A research and study centre, aiming
at collecting information about the situation of children
in neighboring countries is now being established. |
| 1996 |
The Street Education and Health Project to aid the street
children and child beggars on the streets of Mae Sai was established.
This project provides them with family support, basic literacy,
numeracy and health education and is funded by HELP a Japanese
NGO.
The Follow-up, Rescue and Rehabilitation project was established.
Past DEP girls' welfare is monitored and assistance offered
when necessary. This includes advocacy and intervention services.
Research conducted throughout Chiang Rai province on the problems
faced by children, Joined local government to write the Provinical
Master Plan of Action on children's Issues supported by the
International Labour Organization (IPEC). |
| 1997 |
| International seminar on the Protection of Children's Rights
in the Upper Mekong Basin. Attended by representatives from
Burma, Southern China and Laos, academics, international donor
agencies and experts in the field. Organized by the MSC at
DEP-DC headquarters, Mae Sai. |
| 1998 |
Opening of the boy's dormitory in Parmuad village, Mae Sai.
The arrival of the first 18 boys into the centre marked their
official incorporation into the DEPDC programme.
Opening of the library at DEPDC headquarters, Mae Sai. MSC
begin research for the "Lessons Learned" project which traces
the lives of former daughters. It was completed in 1999 to
honour DEPDC's ten years anniversary. |
| 1999 |
| The Safe Shelter Project was started. The first of five
houses for emergency cases was built with funding from the
Canadian Embassy. Land cleared at DEPDC's headquarters for
vegetable and fruit garden. The Sustainable Agriculture Skills
Training Project began with support from the Canada Fund.
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