Laos Community Development Initiative

It’s 2023 and we haven’t been to Laos since November 2019. We miss our friends and colleagues dearly, but fortunately, our absence doesn’t mean the schools have not been running, holding their own, and continuing to require our support! Laos was not spared the virus and the loss of tourism has been quite devastating to the economy. Slowly it is starting to improve, but hard times continue.  

The schools were closed only briefly and they continue to attract many students who know of their reputation for providing the best public education in the province. I previously reported that it had been designated a 'Model School' by the government, which is a very prestigious designation. 

Noy Mettasak, our project manager and 'eyes on the ground' in Laos, has been out of the country for much of 2022 dealing with a very sick son, but now that he is recovering and stable she has returned to Pakse where she immediately connected with our three schools to do reconnaissance. She contacted us in November 2022 with some requests from the schools for some capital improvements as well as the yearly school supplies. She also reported that the principal of Panontai Primary School, Mr. Sikot, had retired and one of his teachers, who we know well, has taken over for him so the school is in good hands. He is young, tech savvy and by all reports, a good leader.  

This year they requested funds to rebuild a fence to keep animals out of the school vegetable gardens, paint and supplies for two of the buildings, and money to build another washroom at the Panontai kindergarten. The total expense for 2022 was $2300 USD. The villagers do the construction, which is why it is so affordable! They are very vested in the schools.

In 2021, we managed to supply the schools with sporting equipment, uniforms, books and school supplies and paid for some painting and upgrades to the washrooms. The climate is very hard on the physical structures and they need constant upkeep. From the pictures you will see that they are very diligent about maintaining the schools in tip top shape! Computer repair is also ongoing, so we help with that too. We continue to provide funds for internet access and for the provision of filters for clean drinking water in each classroom. The total expense for 2021 was $4681 USD.

Noy reports that Meuang Kang School was able to take the Grade 9 students to Wat Phu again last year, and they hope for another trip this spring. It is a World Heritage site with temples dating back to 400 A.D. The students get a guided tour and write an essay about the site afterward. We provide $150 to pay the guide, provide transportation (tuk-tuks) and provide lunch for the 40 students and their teachers. 

We hope to be able to go back to Laos this fall, and personally visit the schools. We have a fourth school in Salavan which we would like to be able to support again in the future. Travel to the school was not possible during COVID, so Noy has not reconnected with them yet.  

Although we have some funds in our account, we need to continue to fund raise in order to be able to continue to support these schools into the future. They are so appreciative of the donors, most of whom have never met them. This generosity really astounds them! They thank you all, very deeply, as do Bruce, Noy and I. 

If you would like to continue to support our project, you can donate online and receive a tax receipt.    

Thank you for your interest in our school project. 

All the best,  

Janice, Bruce and Noy