A Call to Action and Leadership for Myanmar Youth

The Shan Youth Safety Training to End Risky Migration (SYSTERM) was created as an expansion of DEPDC’s Mekong Youth Union (MYU).  SYSTERM is an extension of DEPDC’s core tenet: that education is the key to prevention.  Through educating our children in the Sub-Mekong Region we empower them with the agency to protect themselves from human trafficking.  The young adults we train return to their communities, establish initiatives, and share the knowledge they gained at DEPDC with their peers.  Every child reached through this ever-expanding network is better prepared to combat the issues they face.  This is how DEPDC, a small community-based organization, makes a large difference in the surrounding areas. 

This period SYSTERM had a special activity that involved joining with students from Singapore to help translate for the HDS’ students. In addition to learning new skills, this activity created an opportunity for networking as well as forged new relationships with students from HDS and Singapore. They learnt a lot through the online study programs and had many great opportunities to stay engaged using Zoom for online activities. They were able to acquire the skills to use the online programs and this knowledge will serve them in other work that they do.

Some of SYSTERM’s graduates have had to change placement for work and get new jobs as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be an issue in many areas.

On behalf of all the SYSTERM alumni, staffs, and volunteers at DEPDC, we would like to say thank you to all our past, present and future donors for your generous support. People like you represent the necessary partnerships that keep our centre and programs flourishing. We are truly grateful.