Help Stop Child Trafficking - DEPDC Chiang Khong

If you are wondering whether I have taken up yet another charity project of interest?!? Yes, I HAVE!!!! However, now I am trapezing out of the country into a neighbouring country up north.......Thailand! I have recently been told by a couple of people that just met me,

"Mei Sze, do you think that you behaving THIS WAY(they meant doing charity and being nice to people) may actually make people think you are FAKING it?"

I was truly taken aback by that statement......... Now, how is helping the homeless and tutoring at the orphanage when I have the free time "faking it"?!? Logically, I don't really have so much free time to do humanitarian work just to "fake it".....LOL....The only reason I tell people*if they ask* or blog about my endeavors is because I need to create awareness virally about the help these orphanages and homeless shelters need....... or else no one is going to know right?!? Especially when these places need help(as much as they can get)!

Plus, the reason WHY I am doing my phd in developmental psychology is because I have always wanted to help the abandoned, poor, and abused youths since I was young(a teenager)!!Oh well, for those skeptics and jaded people out there, I want to help with a pure heart and I will keep posting charity stuff up because I hope my blog will be a "jolt of reality" to those that read it..that stuff like that does happen around us ALL THE TIIME:p

Back to the original reason I am writing this post, my latest project or interest is towards a center to help stop child trafficking in Northern Thailand near the border towards Laos. It is called Development and Education programme for Daughters an communities(DEPDC). Their first center was in Mae Sai, Thailand but they recently opened one in Chiang Khong which houses 18 girls who were almost sold into the sex industry or other exploitative child labour situations. This center basically helps provide shelter and education to these children, and also hold activities such as youth leadership education programme to combat trafficking in the Mekong Sub-Region, and vocational and human rights training for undocumented migrants and indigenous peoples.

Now, how did I get to know about this center? It is thanks to my lovely friend:

Henry from the University of Hawaii who is currently a Luce Scholar in Bangkok...he does a huge amount of research in the hospital to help Rabies victims:) A picture in Luna Bar taken awhile back with PooHen!

He told me about his short visit to the Chiang Khong center and how he taught the girls about nutrition. As he knew about my passion to help, he introduced me to his friend, Ouleye who works at the center full time. This admirable lady turned down an offer from Oxford University to volunteer at the DEPDC center but was once again accepted recently(CONGRATS!)...come on, who wouldn't accept her twice?!? She will be researching on children that are born in border communities like Chiang Khong and live without citizenship papers or documentation. SAVE THE CHILDREN, SAVE THE WORLD! *winks*

Henry conducting a short activity with the girls.... Look at how lovely, bubbly and vibrant they are despite the circumstances they came from.....Some were already sold to child prostitution when DEPDC intervened...and sometimes..when you think about it..it's very difficult for us to blame the parents because they are too poor to raise these girls themselves:(

Miss Ouleye teaching the students! Keep up the amazing job you are currently doing with these kids!!

I will be visiting the center hopefully in June to counsel some of the girls and help out. However, besides that, I was told recently by Henry that these girls are lacking of funds because of the recent economic downturn....and they need money to be financially independent(means not relying so much on donors). They have thought up a way to start off a sopa business and need the money for equipment and such.......

First of all, I am writing this post because I would like to highlight the activities and the great work by this particular center. On the other hand, given the fact that I have interest to help these girls and if you do too, you can email me at mschoo116@gmail.com to find out more details on how to make a donation to the Chiang Khong center as they have yet to establish a website.

And if you just want to find out more, you can go to their established website at

http://www.depdcblog.wordpress.com/

xoxo

Meiz

P.S., It's time to be less jaded, and start caring......Although you have a great life, there are others out there that may need your help....