The goals of OPC
To provide alternative education for poor migrant children.
To provide counselling for children and promote child development.
To provide support and education for parents.
To provide basic relief to those in immediate need.
To promote children's rights, as established in the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
To work against child trafficking and sexual violence.
Opportunity for Poor Children (OPC) was founded on December 11, 2002 by Shan youths who were active members of pre-existing organizations and also involved in social work. They saw the need to provide support for unrecognized refugees in Thailand, and responded by establishing an alternative learning center and shelter.
OPC has been active for three years, and is now involved with more than a hundred children from a number of different communities. The children are rendered extremely vulnerable by their lack of status in Thailand, and by the poverty into which they were born. They often have insufficient access to nutritionally rich food and health care, are unable to attend Thai schools past ninth standard grade and lack access to life and job skills development. Providing alternative education and vocational training can improve their lives and their chances for a secure and happy future.
OPC is comprised of a core volunteer team of fourteen members, who work in cooperation with a network of local and international organizations and are guided by an advisory body of experienced consultants, NGO activists and local leaders.
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