By Kristin Moreau, MS, CCC-SLP | International Department Coordinator
Patak Half Day School: Supporting Education for Stateless Children
Another three months have passed and DEPDC/GMS would like to share some exciting news with you! With financial support raised through Global Giving and several community supporters, the Half Day School was able to provide basic primary school and alternative education to 49 at-risk children who live near the Thai-Myanmar border. All of our students are members of ethnic minority groups. They are stateless and therefore lack the basic rights of citizens recognized by Thailand or Myanmar. Without the support to keep DEPDC/GMS’s Half Day School running, our students would be unable to receive any education due to the costly fees to attend government school in this region.
Celebrating A New Life Through Song and Class Reunions
In late November, former students returned to the Half Day School for a reunion. Many of these young men and women were also students of the Mekong Youth Net (MYN) program. They cooked, gathered around a camp fire, and took turns speaking about how DEPDC/GMS impacted their lives. Some chose to sing and play the guitar for their former classmates. The founder of DEPDC/GMS, Khun Sompop Jantraka, also sang. Towards the end of the night, Kongming lanterns were lit and let loose into the sky. This was a very special event to witness, as it demonstrated how DEPDC/GMS has provided a future to so many youth in Mae Sai. As students, they learn that they are valuable members of society. With this knowledge, many of the former students remain united together and choose to give back to their community whenever able.
Just like their seniors, the current Half Day School students love to sing. Khun Sompop Jantraka, known as “Father Sompop” by the children, teaches a regular music class to the students. They learn to play a variety of instruments, most notably the bamboo flute which they have learned to make from scratch with their own hands. The students sing traditional Northern Thai melodies during class and even bravely take turns to sing individually for their classmates.
Growing A Healthy Future!
As some of you may know, the Half Day School partakes in several projects each year to help make the lunch program more self-sustainable and more nutritious. These projects include harvesting rice and growing a small organic vegetable, mushroom, and herb farm right on the school grounds. Growing rice and fresh vegetables does not only encourage the students to eat healthy foods, but it also teaches important agricultural techniques so they may be able to grow their own food later on in life. The rice harvest for 2017 was completed in mid-December and new vegetables were planted throughout November and December, including cabbage, peppers, corn, taro, tomatoes, and a variety of herbs commonly used in Northern Thai cooking. You can learn more about the Patak Half Day School’s rice harvest on our blog or support the Half Day School’s Lunch Program right here on Global Giving!
A Special Thank You!
On behalf of all the children, teachers, and volunteers at DEPDC/GMS, I would like to say thank you…you make a difference in the lives of our students and their families! If able, please continue to provide your much appreciated support. Please, don’t forget to spread the word about the Half Day School and our mission here at DEPDC/GMS by following, liking, or sharing us on your favorite social media platform!
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