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 137 communities in Laos to ensure that students overcome these, and other, barriers to accessing quality education. Currently, PoP is impacting over 95,000 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.
Houay Thong
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With a population of around 571, this Hmong community is located within the Phonthong district. Many children live here, and the current school structure is too small to accommodate them. The Houay Thong Preschool and Primary School (PHT) serves grades K-5. |
ONEHOPE’s Impact in Houay Thong
There are currently three structures at the Houay Thong Preschool and Primary School. While one is a permanent concrete structure, the others are provisional, community-built structures. These are made of wood and tin roofing with dirt floors. These conditions hinder learning, posing a hazard to student safety and engagement.
In the coming months, PoP will be partnering with the Houay Thong community to build a new three-classroom structure. 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 broke ground in March of 2021 and, following months of hard work, expect to complete the structure in June of 2021. The new Houay Thong Preschool and Primary School will provide a high-quality learning environment where every child can reach their unique potential.
