Photos courtesy of Bangkok Post
A Thai activist was recently awarded a World’s Children’s Prize after being voted by numerous children across the globe.
Read the following story to learn more about this tireless children’s rights promoter.
On October 14, Thai child rights advocate Sompop Jantraka was one of three activists awarded a World’s Children’s Prize, which arranged as part of a Sweden-based educational programme aimed at promoting children’s rights.
Every year, the WCP organises a global vote in which children can decide who should receive the award for outstanding contributions to the rights of children. The candidates are selected by a jury of child rights experts. More than 2 million children took part in the vote this year.
TIRELESS WORKER
The World’s Children’s Honorary Award went to Thai activist Sompop for his 25-year struggle against the child sex trade and for his work helping vulnerable children in the Mekong Region. Sompop has long devoted himself to the development of ASEAN kids. He currently works with the Development Education Programme for Daughters and Communities.
FEARLESS ACTIVIST
The WCP stated that Sompop’s work has earned him many enemies. In spite of death threats, he has managed to build up several educational institutes with the aim of helping underprivileged kids to have a brighter future and a chance of a better livelihood.
His projects have included the establishments of a school, a vocational training centre, two safe homes for vulnerable children, a 24-hour crisis phone line, and radio and TV stations run by young people.
“Sompop saves children by providing them with knowledge, safety, self-esteem, faith and hope for a better future,” the WCP said in a statement.
Exercises
Read the story. Then, decide whether the following statements are true or false.
1. Sompop works for the Ministry of Public Health.
…………………………..
2. The WCP is a Myanmar-based organisation.
…………………………..
3. WCP stands for World's Children's Prize.
…………………………..
4. Less than 2 million children took part in the vote this year.
…………………………..
Vocabulary
- tireless (adj): putting a lot of hard work and energy into something over a long period of time
advocate (n): a person who supports or speaks in favour of somebody or of a public plan or action
vulnerable (adj): weak and easily hurt physically or emotionally
livelihood (n): a means of earning money in order to live
self-esteem (n): a feeling of being happy with your own character and abilities
