You’re Making a Difference Here
WHY LAOS?
In Laos, 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 amongst ethnic minorities (World Bank 2014).
Pencils of Promise works with 123 communities in Laos to ensure that our students overcome these, and other, barriers to accessing a quality education. Currently, PoP is impacting over 14,000 students 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 100 schools in Luang Prabang Province, working in collaboration with communities to couple school builds with teacher training, in order to ensure that our students are benefitting from access to both educational infrastructure and quality instruction.
Phon Hom
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With a population of around 525, 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. |
Jasper’s Impact in Phon Hom
Currently, fourth and fifth graders enrolled at the Phon Hom Preschool and Primary School attend class in the community meeting hall. First graders attend class in a a community-built structure, while second and third graders learn in the primary school structure. All structures are wooden with tin roofs, and do not properly shelter students from the elements. These conditions clearly pose a hazard to student safety and well-being, as well as to engagement and learning.
In the coming months, PoP will be partnering with the Phon Hom community to build a new four-classroom structure here! 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 of 2019 and, following months of hard work, complete the structure in December of 2019. The new Phon Hom Preschool and Primary School will provide sufficient, safe space for every child to learn and thrive.