Sompop Jantraka Explained

Sompop Jantraka is a thai activist focused on rescuing children from exploitative labour or child trafficking.^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

In 1988, after earning his bachelor's degree in political science from Chiang Mai University, Sompop became a researcher for the International Labour Organization and worked with a journalist investigating trafficking in Thailand.

Development and Education Programme for Daughters and Communities

In 1989, Sompop founded the "Daughters Education Programme (DEP)" to prevent vulnerable girls from being forced into the sex industry, by funding their education.^[5] Working with a network of volunteers in villages in northern Thailand, DEP intervenes with girls and their families before they are sold to brothel owners, providing them with free vocational education so they can be self-reliant and economically independent.^{[6] [7]}

In 1992, DEP became a part of a larger umbrella organization, Development and Education Programme for Daughters and Communities (DEPDC). DEPDC operates an emergency shelter for abused or abandoned children, and for girls who have left prostitution. DEPDC also offers education programs and human rights training for indigenous people and undocumented migrants.^[8]

Mekong Youth Net

Sompop resigned as director of DEPDC in 2007 to focus on anti-trafficking programmes throughout the Greater Mekong sub-region, including Laos, Vietnam, Burma, Cambodia, and Yunnan Province in China. Through the Mekong Youth Net, grassroots youth leaders have been brought together to provide relief and solutions to the exploitation of girls among the hill tribes and minority communities of the region.^{[9] [10]}

Honors and awards

• Ashoka fellow, Public Broadcasting Service New Hero (2005).^[11]
• In March 2008, Sompop Jantraka was awarded the Wallenberg Medal by the University of Michigan.^{[12] [13]}

References

General references

• Development and Education Programme for Daughters and Communities Centre in the Greater Mekong Subregion
• Development and Education Programme for Daughters and Communities
• Time/Asia, Asian Heroes

Notes and References

1. Web site: The World's Children's Prize website . Sompop Jantraka . 2023-04-14 . Sompop Jantraka - World's Children's Prize . 2023-04-14 . worldschildrensprize.org.
2. Web site: Committee . Wallenberg . 2008, Sompop Jantraka – Wallenberg Legacy, University of Michigan . 2023-04-14 . en-US.
3. Web site: Neyman . Patricia . 2008-01-01 . Sompop Jantraka . 2023-04-14 . pats-eduent.net.
4. News: Times of India . Sompop arrives in India . 2002-05-03 . Thai campaigner arrives in city . The Times of India . 2023-04-14 . 0971-8257.
5. Web site: GraceList Thailand . Dev & Education Programme . 2016-10-22 . Development and Education Programme for Daughters and Communities GracesList Thailand . 2023-04-14 . ThailandGracelist.org . en-US.
6. Web site: Schreiber . Penny . 2008-02-11 . Activist combats sex trafficking The University Record . 2023-04-14 . record.umich.edu.
7. Web site: Equitable Education Conference 2020 . sompop as a speaker . 2021-01-14 . Foundational and Soft Skills for Disadvantaged Children and Youth . 2023-04-14 . The International Conference on Equitable Education: All for Education . en-US.
8. Web site: Brasil website . Sompop DEPDC . 2023-04-14 . Sompop Jantraka Ashoka Everyone a Changemaker . 2023-04-14 . www.ashoka.org . pt-br.
9. Cheng, Mohamed, Tang, Epigram Books,Doing Great: Thirteen Asian Heroes and their Causes, Sompop Jantraka, 2015
10. Web site: The Scotsman . The newsroom . 2008-01-06 . Young daughters sold into sex trade for the price of a television . 2023-04-14 . The Scotsman.
11. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED538340.pdf
12. Web site: Heflin . Cindy . 2008-03-14 . Award honors rescuer of Thai girls from sex slavery . 2023-04-14 . mlive . en.
13. Web site: Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 10 - HONORING SOMPOP JANTRAKA AND HIS SCHOOL DEPDC . 2023-10-17 . www.govinfo.gov.