You’re Making a Difference Here
WHY LAOS?
In Laos, a lack of educational infrastructure is one of the greatest barriers to accessing quality education (BBC News Asia). 15% of people in Laos are illiterate, with even higher illiteracy rates amongst ethnic minorities (World Bank 2015).
Pencils of Promise works with 130 communities in Laos to ensure that students overcome these, and other, barriers to accessing quality education. Currently, PoP is impacting over 90,000 students and teachers in Laos.
LUANG PRABANG
Luang Prabang Province, located in northern Laos, sits at the intersection of the Nam Khan and Mekong rivers.
PoP has built over 120 schools in Luang Prabang Province and is currently working in collaboration with communities to support teachers and provide quality infrastructure to ensure that students have access to quality education.
Na Noy
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With a population of around 306, this community is located within the Vieng Kham district. Here, members of the community engage in upland rice farming and other agricultural- and livestock-related activities. The Khmu language is spoken here. |
Biking Borders’ Impact in Na Noy
There are currently six grades being served at the Na Noy Preschool and Primary School. While the classrooms for grades 1st-5th are in good condition, the preschool does not currently have its own classroom and conducts learning in a crowded community hall. These conditions hinder learning, posing a hazard to student safety and engagement.
In the coming months, PoP will be partnering with the Na Noy community to build a new one-classroom structure for the preschool. The community is committed to providing higher-quality education to its students and will contribute 20% of the resources and labor required for construction. We expect to break ground in September 2021 and hope to complete construction in November 2021.
The new Na Noy Preschool and Primary School will provide a high-quality learning environment where every child can reach their unique potential.
