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 136 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 135 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.
Nong
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With a population of around 605, this community is located within the Pak Seng district. Here, members of the community engage in upland rice farming and other agricultural- and livestock-related activities. The Khmu language is spoken here. |
Jessie’s Impact in Nong
The current conditions of the Nong Preschool and Primary School require three kindergarten classes to share a single classroom, and the 5th grade class uses the school balcony as a makeshift classroom. This creates a crowded and noisy environment for the students and teachers. These conditions hinder learning, posing a hazard to student safety and engagement.
In the coming months, PoP will be partnering with the Nong 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 November of 2020 and, following months of hard work, expect to complete the structure in February of 2021. The new Nong Preschool and Primary School will provide a high-quality learning environment where every child can reach their unique potential.