Why we are Helping and how YOU can get involved

The remote villages of Laos have never recovered from the 'Secret' war of the 1960's. While rich in culture and tradition, their education, healthcare and hygiene conditions are severely lacking. The average lifespan is only 56 years and average age is only 20.8, caused by poor quality water, poor hygiene and general poverty. BUT with your help we have already made a difference in the lives of over 2700 villagers.

We have built schools in the villages of Pha Yong and Had Chanh, and a 3rd school located in Done Lom is under construction. We have also distributed over 200 water filters systems and completed hygiene training for three entire villages. Each family is required to take this course before a filter is provided, in order to promote a longer, healthier and happier life. A new water source including a dam, water tank and taps has been completed, as has our first bank of hygienic toilets.

It doesn't stop there. We have requests for 34 new projects and with your help, will do what we can to support as many requests as possible.

You can help in so many different ways. Before you do though, note that less than 5% will go to direct overhead costs, contrary to many NGO's who's overheads can reach 80%. Sponsors for every project will receive emailed pictures and details of how the money was spent.

Here are some examples of how you can help with your financial contribution.

- $55 buys a water purification filter for a family of 8.
It will also include your name on the water filter and a picture forwarded to you with the family and the filter unit.
- $12,500 US buys a school for grades 1, 2 and 3. Perhaps you would like to sponsor or assist us to sponsor a school.
- $4,000 US (approx) buys school tables and desks for a three room school and a two-room kindergarten.
- $700 US (approx) pays for a teacher for one year
- $50 US buys education for one child for one year including school fees, 2 uniforms, shoes, backpack and school supplies.
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hygienic washroom facilities rane depending on the number of stalls and start at about $3000, but are critical to prevent more disease.

If you would like to become involved and to help the people of rural Laos help themselves lead a more fulfilling life, please email us at AdoptaVillageinLaos@gmail.com. Official Tax Receipts are not yet possible although we hope to receive charitable status this summer. Meanwhile we would still love to hear of your interest.

Please help............we cannot do this alone....

Meanwhile, please enjoy our updates below.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Sept 14 HadChanh and Pha Yong School Update

The rains continue throughout the northern Luang Prabang region but it doesn't seem to dampen the spirits of the determined villagers. Perhaps this gives you an idea of the work ethics and their will to move forward, despite decades of war.

Pha Yong Village

It is exciting to see, even for me from a distance, the roof going on from what has been a truly exhausting challenge. It was pouring all day yesterday and they don't dare try to get another truck of supplies up to the village. I have been told that they are going to try to widen other areas of the road too, before attempting another delivery. Through this difficult build, there is renewed energy now that the roof is being mounted. Here a few images of their progress.




You can see their is still lots of work to do but I suspect that the work will move a little bit faster so they can get the kids into the school, now that school was supposed to have started.

Had Chanh Village

Khamlath felt so bad about forgetting his camera last time that he made a special trip to the village, just to take pictures. Here they are.

















The school looks pretty sharp. Just some minor work left to do.


















I had no reason to worry about the red - it does look kind of sharp doesn't it? Do you notice something missing? I noticed it right away. Where are the dividing walls between the rooms?
The explanation was that the Government canceled one of the teachers, (probably because the old bamboo school was only one room). Anyway, with some discussion, they understand now that they are not likely to get another teacher unless the rooms are there and the government is unable to fund it. They have since agreed to build the dividing walls for completion before I get there. How does one teach almost 100 children in one room at the same time with three different grades?

2 comments:

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