Research project about the sex trade in Thailand conducted by Sompop Jantraka and Michiho Inagaki, a Japanese journalist. From this research Sompop realized he could prevent vulnerable girls being forced into the sex industry by funding their education.

Established an educational fund project supported by the Japanese-based Asian Children’s Fund.

First group of 19 girls participated in the program.

Expanded to involve the hill tribe communities near Mae Sai to support vulnerable Akah girls and their communities. DEP became a member of the Taskforce to End Child Sexploitation in Thailand. Moved from rented housing to the Buddhist temple Phomwiharn. Started vocational training project with 9 girls. Opened the program to accept foreign volunteers from abroad.

Established an AIDS project funded by the Northern AIDS prevention and Care (NAPAC) via the Australian embassy.

The UNICEF funded Leadership Training program was initiated. This program funded 80 young women over six years to participate in educational and developmental activities, encouraging them to become positive role models and community leaders. Sompop Jantraka was granted membership to become an ASHOKA fellow. The new vocational training building was built with funds from the Japanese embassy. The official opening was attended by both Thai and Japanese officials. Official opening of the Mae Sai center. Attended by community and government representatives and the Thai media. Buildings to house current projects and many children had been completed. Two other DEP sites in Chiang Rai were opened in Huai Krai and Huai So. These sites house and support some of the girls receiving DEP scholarships and some vocational training projects.

With the growth of the program, publicity of the plight of children in the sex industry and the higher profile of DEPDC, the Thai government acknowledged and approved the work of Sompop Jantraka and his staff, giving the DEPDC a higher community profile. DEPDC moves from being a small unrecognized NGO to a role model organization with public support. Joins a network of NGO’s and became a member of the NGO committee which included: NGOAIDS, Northern Network of Children’s and Women’s Development Groups (NNCWD), and the IYF YouthNet. Three more DEPDC sites are opened around Chiang Rai province. These are located at Wiang Kaen, Phan and Mae Suai. DANDIA funded DEPDC at these sites as well as a public awareness campaign through community participation about the problem of child prostitution. The International Labour Organization (ILO) funded Media and Information Action Centre was established, providing information about child labor, child sex work and AIDS to many Chiang Rai children, schools and communities. A small restaurant/shop was built on the Mae Sai site with a donation from the Soroptimists. This is both a learning venture and provides a useful service to girls, staff and visitors. It aims to promote the concepts of self sufficiency and sustainability.

The Street Education and Health Project to aid street children and child beggars on the streets of Mae Sai is established. This project provides them with family support, basic literacy, numbers and health education and was funded by HELP (a Japanese NGO). The Follow-Up, Rescue and Rehabilitation Project is established. Past DEP girls’ welfare is monitored and assistance offered when necessary. This includes advocacy and intervention services. Research conducted throughout Chiang Rai province on the problems faced by children. Joined local government to write the “Provincial Master Plan of Action on Children’s Issues” supported by the ILO (IPEC). Email service starts and information placed on a web page.

Research on the children in the Mekong basin continues, supported by the ILO (IPEC). And a research and study center, aimed at collecting information about the situation of children in neighboring countries is now established. International seminar on The Protection of the Rights of Children in the Upper Mekong Basin. Attended by representatives from Burma, Southern China, and Laos, academics, international donor agencies and experts in the field. Organized by the MSC at the DEPDC headquarters in Mae Sai.

Opening of the boy’s dormitory in Parmaud village, Mae Sai. The arrival of the first 18 boys into the center marked their official incorporation into the DEPDC program. Opening of the library at DEPDC headquarters, Mae Sai.

MSC begins research for the Lessons Learned project which traces the lives of former Daughters. It was completed in 1999 to honor DEPDC’s 10th year anniversary. The Safe Shelter Project was started. The first of five houses for emergency cases are built with funding from the Canadian embassy. Land cleared at DEPDC’s headquarters for a vegetable and fruit garden. The Sustainable Agriculture Skills Training Project begins with funding from the Canada Fund.

DEPDC founds The Provincial Child Rights Protection Centre in Chiang Rai. ILO/IPEC continues support of Phase V for DEPDC. Canada house is built. Canada house was opened by the Canadian ambassador. CoOperaid and ILO/IPEC support Children project at-risk at the border throughout DEPDC. Mae Sai Child Rights Centre founded by DEPDC and started Project of Mekong YouthNet and Half Way House are prepared.

International ASHOKA conference on international protection for children and collaboration between ASHOKA member fellows in a half dozen countries is held in Chaing Rai, hosted by the DEPDC.

A day care school for local village children was established to teach basic literacy and numbers to about 40 children unable to attend government schools. This project is run by volunteers and older girls involved in the Leadership Training Program.

CPRC, (Child Protection Rights Centre) and 24 Hour Rescue Hotline project working towards the prevention, protection and intervention on behalf of children and is funded by Finnish Embassy.

MRICRH, (Mekong Regional Indigenous Child Rights Home), a safe shelter and temporary home for rescued cross bordered trafficked women and children from the Mekong-Sub-Region, supported by USAID, Asia Foundation, American Embassy is founded.

MYN (Mekong Youth Net), pilot project (MYN-1), educating young women in a 1-year leadership programme to combat trafficking in the Mekong Region is supported by OSI, Open Society Institute, U.S.

CLC (Community Learning Centre), provides vocational/human rights/literacy training for undocumented migrants/refugees. Supported Ansevad, Spain.

MYN-1, follow-up 1st year is funded by SC UK, Save the Children, U.K

MYN-2 is funded by OSI, Open Society Institute, U.S.

MYN-3 is funded by Oxfam Novib, Netherlands

MRICRH, (Mekong Regional Indigenous Child Rights Home), with two sub-components; 24 Hour Hotline and CVR, (Child Voice Radio), supported by Oxfam Novib, Netherlands.

DEP CK (Daughters Education Programme - Chiang Khong) - Vulnerable children and teens living on-site at a new children’s protection and rights centre in Chiang Khong. Previously located in Doi Luang.

TSP, (Tantawan Scholarship Programme), is enhancing the opportunity for higher education for 14 underprivileged and poor teens from DEPDC, to study in Chiang Rai, funded by Jane Mc Bride, Patty Zinkowski and FTD, (Friends of Thai Daughters, U.S.).