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“In the Centre that I look after in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, we now welcome in about 50 young boys and girls every year. As this grows, I can see the importance of teaching these young people social principles that build on their personal development, especially as these values used to be passed on within the family. For example, in Laotian culture, politeness and respect for elders are extremely important. Nowadays, however, many of the young people that we welcome into our boarding houses have lost the fundamental instinct to say hello to an adult passing by. I don’t believe that this is insignificant, but rather a loss of social awareness. Our young people no longer have the worldly wisdom which previously gave Laos its spark. It is therefore important that we teach them these values again.    

In Laos, there is a saying similar to “give and you will receive”. It’s an example of popular wisdom from the past. The proverb explains that the giver will benefit just as much as the person who receives. But it also signifies that as well as receiving, we should also give when it comes to our turn. Always be grateful for what you get and give back in one way or another using the skills that we have. This is a very important lesson for our young people coming from poor families who have received so much already, especially from their sponsors.  

All in all, we are trying to teach a consistency between the identity of these young people and their actions: the alignment of ‘Who am I?” and “How do I act?”.  For this reason, I believe it is important to teach our students philosophy, to provide them with core values and a framework that will set them up for life.  

– Sister Latsamy, local programme manager for Children of the Mekong in Laos 

Cambodia was ranked 160th out of 179 countries for its corruption perception Index in 2020.  

The median age of the population is 25.6 years old. A young population means education has an important influence in changing perceptions.   

Our Khmer social supervisors, who live every day with the young people in Children of the Mekong centres in Cambodia, say: “The youngsters don’t have clear objectives, they don’t take risks, but they want lots of success. It is important to teach them to have a positive attitude, to work with self-discipline and have confidence in themselves. All success requires time and unwavering commitment. We need to give them tools as well as good speakers who inspire them. They need lots of practice and minimal theory.” A philosophical course also teaches virtues, the best tools a young person can possess in order to learn effectively that everything requires time and constant involvement in order to achieve one’s objective. This is an opportunity for each of the students to reflect on the goal they are aiming for. Is it success? Health? A good job? Family? Happiness? In parallel, during sessions on tools – virtues – the students reflect on these topics, by exploring their personal questions about friendship, work, art, happiness, passions and religions. A complete course in 12 sessions where the teacher lets the students do the work for three quarters of the time. 

Finally, between success and happiness, what should be given priority? The issue goes beyond borders. It is at the heart of the students’ worries at the centres. For example, books on this subject are the most popular in the library at the Docteur Christophe Mérieux Centre. The role of Children of the Mekong is not to provide them with a ready-made answer, but rather to accompany them in making their own choices. And if any indicator were needed to persuade us that this teaching must continue today, the simple fact that each new generation starts the school year with the same fundamental questions is enough to confirm the need for this philosophical course.  

The role of Children of the Mekong is not to provide them with a ready-made answer, but to support them to make their own choices.