Help To Provide Lunch For Half Day School Students

The Half Day School’s (HDS) lunch program is a critical component of serving children most vulnerable to human trafficking. Through the HDS lunch program we are able to ensure that our students are receiving at least one nutritious meal a day. Food security is an integral piece of social justice and the success of this program is made possible with the the support and care of our community and donors.   

This semester we implemented a change to classes in order to teach the students how to prepare and cook the school lunches. We used the vegetables from our farm that all the students took part in planting. We take care to plant vegetables that we know can be used for the school lunch menu. The students work to craft a menu for lunches and the director teaches them to prepare the raw materials and varying cooking techniques.  As DEDPC is an active part of the community, the students also cooked and shared the food for the marginalized and underserved that live around the school. Some students were also able to take food back home and share the food with their family members. 

We are very happy that we have the opportunity and resources to cook organic food for our students and to also be able to share it with those in need. 

We also had one former daughter and son come back to the center to donate lunch to the students for their birthdays. 

From everyone here at HDS we would like to extend a heartfelt and sincere thank you to all past, present, and future donors. As always, the work we do here at DEPDC is possible because of your generosity and shared passion in our mission to prevent the human trafficking of vulnerable youth. 

The Half Day School’s (HDS) lunch program is a critical component of serving children most vulnerable to human trafficking. Through the HDS lunch program we are able to ensure that our students are receiving at least one nutritious meal a day. Food security is an integral piece of social justice and the success of this program is made possible with the the support and care of our community and donors.   

This period we feel very lucky that we were able to plant vegetables that are then harvested and prepared as a part of the lunch program meals. We also feel very fortunate to have had generous outside people, parents, former HDS students, and former DEPDC members donate lunches for current HDS students. The delicious donations included Nam Ngiao Noodles, Fried Yellow Noodles, Shan Noofles, American Vegetarian Fried Rice, steamed rice topped with chicken, dry food, eggs, condiments, vegetable oil, instant noodles, rice, water, snacks, soymilk, yoghurt, shaved ice with syrup, Japanese Crepes, cake, donuts, pizza and Ice-cream. 

Most people came to donate food on their birthday. They wanted to share with and offer support to those in need.  All of the generous donors were very happy that they were able to offer something to the students as valuable and important as food. It was heartwarming for them to see the students content with their bellies full! 

This term 25 students went to a culinary training course at Nachachan School in Chiang Rai. They learned to cook Pad Thai, coconut milk noodles, and steamed custard.  Upon returning to school, they were able to experiment with the dishes they had learned to cook and they’re doing pretty well! They even cooked a meal for the attendees of a parent’s meeting and cooked a lunch for the HDS students as well! 

From everyone here at HDS we would like to extend a heartfelt and sincere thank you to all past, present, and future donors. As always, the work we do here at DEPDC is possible because of your generosity and shared passion in our mission to prevent the human trafficking of vulnerable youth. 

The Half Day School’s (HDS) lunch program is a critical component of serving children most vulnerable to human trafficking. Through the HDS lunch program we are able to ensure that our students are receiving at least one nutritious meal a day. Food security is an integral piece of social justice and the success of this program is made possible with the support and care of our community and donors. 

            This period we are very humbled and grateful to report that DEPDC had many people and groups generously donate lunches and food for the students of the HDS. Kru Jiew from the Center for Vocational Training and Development of Thai People on the Border Chiang Rai graciously celebrated her birthday by donating lunch to the students. Also celebrating her birthday with donations was Khun Naphat who provided lunch, snacks, drinks and school supplies for the children.  A former member of the DEPDC team P’Namwan and her friends visited us at the center and donated snacks and dry food to be used for lunch for the students. A parent of an HDS student donated steamed rice with chicken for lunch. Friend of the founder and director of DEPDC came to DEPDC to donate fresh chili, corn, and eggplant to cook for lunch. And always really special is when we get visits from HDS alumni. Inn, a former student, and her family provided lunch for the students. Last but certainly not least, the Immigration inspector and his team came to donate 80 lunch boxes of red pork and crispy pork with rice, ice-cream, 300 eggs, rice, snacks, Bua Loi dessert, soy milk, water, instant noodles, water bottles and piggy banks for the students.

            We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful community and that includes you! From everyone here at HDS we would like to extend a heartfelt and sincere thank you to all past, present, and future donors. As always, the work we do here at DEPDC is possible because of your generosity and shared passion in our mission to prevent the human trafficking of vulnerable youth. 

            The Half Day School’s (HDS) lunch program is a critical component of serving children most vulnerable to human trafficking. Through the HDS lunch program we are able to ensure that our students are receiving at least one nutritious meal a day. Food security is an integral piece of social justice and the success of this program is made possible with the support and care of our community and donors. 

            Every meal is very important for children. Sadly, we know that some of our students do not receive breakfast before coming to school. This is why it is so important for DEPDC’s lunch program to continue. Through this program we can guarantee that students receive a healthy lunch.  The campus of DEPDC is a vegetarian campus and with our agricultural program, we plant a lot of vegetables. In this way, the lunches that are prepared are wonderfully nutritious.

            Normally, the students help to prepare the food. This semester, though, the staff has been extra diligent to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 and instead of having the students participate in food preparation, the staff have taken on this responsibility.

            Food prices have recently gone up in price. Thankfully, we have had generous community members donate eggs, rice, soy milk and fire rice for the children.

            From everyone here at HDS we would like to extend a heartfelt and sincere thank you to all past, present, and future donors. As always, the work we do here at DEPDC is possible because of your generosity and shared passion in our mission to prevent the human trafficking of vulnerable youth.

The Half Day School’s (HDS) lunch program is a critical component of serving children most vulnerable to human trafficking. Through the HDS lunch program we are able to ensure that our students are receiving at least one nutritious meal a day. Food security is an integral piece of social justice and the success of this program is made possible with the support and care of our community and donors. 

            The Covid-19 pandemic has continued to disrupt our normal here at DEPDC. The pandemic has made it difficult for people to get together and visit DEPDC. The same has been true for HDS. But even amidst the tough times we have had great moments that were made possible because of our supportive community and networks.

            To support the lunch program, an old friend donated rice, dried food, eggs, vegetable oil, sugar, and canned fish for the survival bags that we put together for students and family. In addition, a local monk donated instant noodles, milk, snacks, and sweet drinks that they got from alms. On Mother’s Day a new friend donated organic rice, crispy fried tofu skins, and seasoned tofu skin for the children’s lunch. What a treat!

            We are so grateful to all of them. Even though times have been challenging, we have still been able to provide food security to the students and families of HDS.

            From everyone here at HDS we would like to extend a heartfelt and sincere thank you to all past, present, and future donors. As always, the work we do here at DEPDC is possible because of your generosity and shared passion in our mission to prevent the human trafficking of vulnerable youth.