Happy holidays from DEPDC! Thanks so much for your generous support of our Computer Classroom project on DEPDC.
We wanted to show you our newest project on GlobalGiving, the Half Day School for Migrant Children in Thailand, is off to a good start this term. All of the children (204) returned from the mid-semester break to begin classes in November. Thankfully, none of the children has been affected by the political turmoil in Burma, even those that commute to school from villages in Burma daily (DEPDC picks them up in the bus once they reach the Thai side). The school break can be a risky time for students, as they sometimes travel and do not have the stability of school.
Project activities are going according to plan. The children continue with their academic studies in the mornings and various vocational shops in the afternoons, including cooking, agriculture, music, traditional dance, and arts. The staff are helping the children learn about taking care of their environment, putting garbage into rubbish bins, and keeping the place clean, which is no small task for over 200 primary school students.
The weather is beginning to get colder, and this can be difficult for many poor families, especially those living in bamboo houses and without enough blankets, shoes, and clothes for the family. Some of the teachers have been visiting families on both sides of the border to see if DEPDC can help them prepare for the winter months.
The last month has also brought some special activities and holidays particular to Thailand. In late November, the Half Day School children celebrated Loi Kratong, an ancient holiday where Thais create small rafts from a section of banana tree trunk and decorate them with natural materials: flowers, leaves, incense, and candles. The rafts are released on a river or other body of water, symbolizing letting go past mistakes, grudges, and defilements. People will also cut their fingernails and hair and add them to the raft as a symbol of letting go of the bad parts of oneself. Many Thai believe that floating a krathong will create good luck, and they do it to honor and thank the Goddess of Water, Phra Mae Khongkha (Wikipedia).
The children also celebrated the 80th birthday of His Majesty the King of Thailand, which is also the national Father’s Day. The children participated in a contest to draw portraits of the King, which have been posted around the school.
During this season, consider giving to the Half Day School project on GlobalGiving as a gift — to a friend, a colleague, or anyone you would like to honor in this unique way. You can choose from several different designs and send a beautiful card (including project details) via email or post. When you find a project you'd like to give to, simply choose "Make this a Gift" when you're completing your donation! With your support, we can continue our work and you can spread the word about what we do and give some good for the holidays. Thank you again for your support. Every dollar help and goes a long way. Best wishes for a Happy New Year.
With gratitude,
The children and staff of the Half Day School
Check out our project link below.
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Dear friends and supporters of the Development and Education Programme for Daughters and Communities (DEPDC),
Greetings from Mae Sai, Thailand! We are pleased to announce a recent update to DEPDC homepage, announcing Alinda Wettasin as the new director of DEPDC.
The latest addition of our newsletter is also available by clicking the link below.
Thank you for your continuing support and interest in the work of DEPDC to combat human trafficking in Thailand and the Mekong Sub-region.
Please direct any questions or comments to info@depdc.org.
With thanks and warm regards,
The staff of DEPDC
Links:
Dear friends and colleagues,
As I begin my 18th year at DEPDC, the time has also come to look at the impact our work is having throughout the Mekong region, to reflect upon our challenges and successes, and to use these experiences to plan for the future at DEPDC. Starting in 1989 with just 19 daughters, DEPDC has grown to include formal and non-formal education for at-risk people of all ages, as well as child rights and protection services and a new thrust to form an extensive grassroots regional network through Mekong Youth Net. My daughters who have been with me from the first year of the program are now running DEPDC practically without me! My confidence in the staff and administrators at DEPDC and the pressing needs for trafficking prevention and protection programs in other Mekong countries lead me to a difficult but exciting decision – I have resigned as director of DEPDC in order to develop the Mekong Youth Net and pursue anti-trafficking programs throughout the Greater Mekong Sub-region.
I leave DEPDC in the capable and experienced hands of Ms. Alinda Wettasin, a trusted and hardworking friend who has been with me for 18 years and knows the organization inside and out. As I try to expand the anti-trafficking work of DEPDC to Thailand’s neighboring countries through the Mekong Youth Net, I will remain DEPDC’s founder and a consultant to Ms. Wettasin, continuing to be active at our centers. My decision to leave the directorship is not a break with DEPDC, but a chance to use these 18 years of experience in Thailand to help the daughters and sons of the Mekong region.
From this point forward, Alinda Wettasin, as acting director, holds executive authority at DEPDC and is the organization’s official legal representative. Her signature as the responsible party at DEPDC is binding on all documents and agreements.
This is a very exciting time for the children, staff, and youth leaders at DEPDC. I ask for your continuing support and interest in anti-trafficking work during this time of transition and expansion. DEPDC will continue its work to help children and women protect themselves from exploitation with the guidance of Ms. Wettasin and support from our partners around the world.
Let me take this opportunity to thank and send my greetings to all the funding agencies, private donors, friends, media contacts, supporters, visitors, volunteers, academics, researchers, intern students, GOs, and other NGOs who have shared in all the successes of DEPDC since 1989 until today. Thank you again for your continuing support and assistance in the fight against human trafficking. Ms. Wettasin and I both look forward to continuing our exciting work in the coming years.
Kindest regards,
Sompop Jantraka
An update of DEPDC's activities in 2005, including DEPDC in the news and its various programs.
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