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Doing Good Great
Chapter 7: Trading Flesh and Blood
SOMPOP JANTRAKA
Country: Thailand
Organisation: Development and Education Programme for Daughters and Communities Centre in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region (DEPDC/GMS)
Cause: Child Prostitution
A street urchin who was fortunate to receive a university education, Sompop Jantraka became, after graduation, a tour guide and research assistant. In both his growing up years and working life, he was no stranger to the tribulations of poverty. However, none stood out as strongly for him as parents selling off their own flesh and blood as sex workers. His first encounter with such a parent jolted him into action.
Pooling together his personal resources and funding from a Japanese foundation, Sompop started a small shelter for 19 girls, a safe haven where they could continue to pursue their education and work towards a better life instead of entering the sex trade. Over time, the nonprofit organization grew in scope and size in its mission of freeing the children of the Mekong basin from the clutches of the prostitution industry.
Sompop’s work has been riddled with stumbling blocks. But he has never wavered because he knows that one moment lost is one daughter trapped in the unforgiving cycle of the sex trade.
Brief facts
SOMPOP JANTRAKA
|
1957 |
Born in Surathanee Province to Thai laborers |
|
1984 |
Graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and International Relations, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Thailand |
|
1985 |
Tour Guide, Alternative Tours of Thailand (until 1987) |
|
1986 |
Research Assistant, Chiang Mai University, Thamasaat University, Bangkok and Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok. Resident Musician and Music Teacher “Moo Ban Dek” Foundation for Children |
|
1987 |
Married high school friend Dusadee Jantraka |
|
1988 |
Became research assistant with Japanese journalist Michiho Inagaki researching the problem of prostitution in Thailand Worked for the International Labour Organisation /International Program for the Elimination of Child Labour as a researcher on child sex workers and child labor |
|
1989 |
Founder and Executive Director, Development and Education Programme for Daughters And Communities, DEPDC (until 2009) |
|
2009 |
Started pilot projects in the Mekong region and focused on expansion plans for DEPDC |
|
2010 |
Expanded DEPDC to DEPDC/GMS in the Greater Mekong Subregion |
|
2011 |
Executive Director of DEPDC/GMS |
|
2014 |
Founder and Advisory Board Secretary DEPDC/GMS |
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
|
1994 |
TIME Magazine—Asian Hero of the Year Ashoka Fellow Thai Prime Minister’s Social Worker Award |
|
1996 |
Readers’ Digest’s “Hero for Today” |
|
2008 |
University of Michigan’s Raoule Wallenberg Medal |
|
2013 |
World’s Children’s Prize Honorary Award |