Safe Shelter for 16 Children and Woman in Thailand

The Mekong Regional Indigenous Child Rights Home (MRICRH) in Mae Chan, Chiang Rai Province continues to be operational in its pursuit to provide a safe home for high-risk children and women in the Greater Mekong Sub region (GMS) of Northern Thailand. This home provides crucial support for those that have been orphaned, trafficked, abandoned, and neglected. The children and women receive shelter, protection, life skills development training, nutritious home made meals, family outreach services, government school education, basic necessities, medical care, school supplies, transportation to/from school, and vocational training.  

Over the past three months, the Mekong Regional Indigenous Child Rights Home (MRICRH) has continued to provide comprehensive  support for two children at risk of potentially being trafficked.  The students are attending school and academic classes aimed at increasing their Thai and English proficiency and equipping them with a solid foundation of knowledge to pursue higher education or to enter the workforce.  Over the last three months they have also had opportunities to socialize with friends through different activities.

Spring cleaning came a little early at MRICRH this year! The Center was given a lot of love with the help of DEPDC’s half day students and children from Child-Life, an organization within DEPDC’s community network.  Now that the land has been tended to, MRICRH eagerly awaits the rainy season so the planting of different vegetables and trees can commence! Growing different plants and vegetables has always been an integral part of DEPDC and MRICRH’s mission as it promotes sustainability and provides life skill lessons on agriculture and how to grow and harvest ones own food.

Unfortunately, due to a limited budget, DEPDC does not have sufficient resources to support more individuals in MRICRH at the moment. Others seeking help can be redirected to nearby organisations operating under the same mission. DEPDC will continue to provide support for the individuals currently in the program. The restructure of MRICRH is still underway. Under this restructuring MRICRH will no longer admit members, but rather allocate all resources toward individuals within the existing program. Through this approach, DEPDC hopes to ensure these people have safely reintegrated into society and have established autonomous and productive lives. These changes within MRICRH will provide urgent and immediate short-term care for people at risk of being trafficked, as well as create long-term relationships among them which are rooted in a sense of trust, love, and shared experience. MRICRH will continue to strive to serve as an emergency shelter for those in need regardless of budget constraints. 

On behalf of all the children, teachers, and volunteers at DEPDC, we would like to say thank you to all our past, present and future donors for your generous support. People like you represent the necessary partnerships that keep our centre flourishing. Please continue to provide your much appreciated support and don’t forget to spread the word about MRICRH by following, liking, and sharing our updates on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn!