Laos

Background
Global Ministries personnel, Xuyen Dangers, who is a social worker, has been working for many years with families in Laos to improve educational opportunities for children and to protect local children from the dangers of drugs, alcohol, and human trafficking.  Xuyen worked with the Donkoi village to build the Donkoi Children's Development Center where children learn life skills, arts, crafts, vocational skills, and also learn about a variety of social issues such as: preventing child abuse, protecting human rights, HIV/AIDS, drug/alcohol abuse, gender discrimination, child labor, and child trafficking.  The children attend the Children's Development Center after school, on weekends, and on summer vacations from school.

Elementary school education for these children is provided by a school in the village, but the school only goes to the fifth grade.  If a child wants to continue education into grade six or beyond they have to travel to other villages which have secondary schools.  Many are unable to do so because they need to help their parents with such things as tending the rice crop or taking care of a sick relative.  Another difficulty is commuting on a bicycle to the nearest middle school.

The Need
The Village of Donkoi has inquired with the Laotian government's Ministry of Education about creating a secondary school in Donkoi.  The Ministry official informed the villagers that the government does not have money to build a school, but would supply the teachers if a school was built.  There are about 45 children in each grade at Donkoi primary school.  If these children are to stay in school for three more years, the proposed school would need to accommodate approximately 150 children.

The Proposal
A local Village Management Committee will oversee the construction of a school with three classrooms and one office.  Construction materials and the labor of three skilled carpenters can be secured for about $8000.  The new facilities will be built over three months, beginning in February of 2008.  An initial grant of $4500 has been secured.

Contribute!

• A gift of $40 will pay for a carpenter for one week.
• A gift of $100 will purchase 4 desks for the school
• A gift of $500 will purchase building materials such as concrete or roofing