You’re Making a Difference Here
LAOS
In Laos, one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia, a lack of educational infrastructure is one of the greatest barriers to accessing a quality education (BBC News Asia). 27% of people in Laos are illiterate, with even higher illiteracy rates among ethnic minorities (World Bank 2014).
Pencils of Promise works with 94 communities in Laos to ensure that our students overcome these, and other, barriers to accessing a quality education. To date, PoP has impacted over 65,000 lives in Laos.
LUANG PRABANG
Luang Prabang Province, located in northern Laos, sits at the intersection of the Nam Khan and Mekong rivers. Although a beautiful area, Luang Prabang lacks sufficient educational infrastructure.
PoP has built over 88 schools in Luang Prabang Province, working in collaboration with communities to couple school builds with educational programming, in order to ensure that our students are benefitting from access to both educational infrastructure and quality instruction.
Before the PoP School Build
When our team first visited the school in Hoauy Ha, Laos, they found students attending class in an aging provisional structure made of wood and metal. Classrooms had no divider walls and therefore student concentration was a big issue due to the noise level in the school. The roof frequently leaks and the dirt floor becomes muddy when it rains. Additionally, overcrowding creates a poor learning environment for all.
Your Impact with the New PoP School
You recognized and responded to the needs of Hoauy Ha by helping PoP and the community build a new 3-classroom school, the Hoauy Ha Primary School. Teachers, parents and community members were dedicated and committed to the project, contributing up to 20% of resources and labor. The Ministry of Education was also very supportive throughout the build. The students of Hoauy Ha will now be able to attend a school equipped with formal blackboards, benches, desks, doors, walls and windows. You made this school build possible, where all kids will be able to learn and realize their potential and promise.
