Laos
- 60 sponsorship programmes
- 1,016 sponsored children
- 38 local volunteers
- 5 overseas volunteers
Laos is a predominantly mountainous, rural country. Often called ‘the country of a million elephants’, it suffers from a lack of infrastructure and the means to improve its educational system.
A high level of absenteeism among teachers in addition to the mediocre course material in rural areas is a huge obstacle to improving Laos’ educational system. Many children leave school after primary school, mainly due to the poverty of their family and the fact that secondary schools are located too far away for them to attend.
- 7.9 million inhabitants, with 61.7% living in rural areas
- Official Language: Lao
- Currency: Lao Kip (£1= 28476 Lao kip)
- Literacy rate: 87.1%
- Ethnic groups: Lao 53.2%, Khmou 11%, Hmong 9.2%, Phouthay 3.4%, Tai 3.1%, Makong 2.5%, Katong 2.2%, Lue 2%, Akha 1.8%, other 11.6%
- Main religion: Buddhism 64.7%
CHILDREN OF THE MEKONG’S ACTIVITY IN LAOS:
Children of the Mekong child sponsorship programme allow providing education to the most underprivileged children in rural Laos. Sponsoring a child in Laos is key to fight school drop out.
- Supporting the poorest families, economically and socially, and enabling our sponsored children to continue their schooling, especially in the Takhek and Pakse regions as well as the areas North of Luang Prabang.
- Supporting private schools which are open to the poorest children.
- Helping students living in isolated areas continue their education with the support of boarding houses close to middle schools, high schools, or universities.
- Guiding and supporting young people through professional training courses (English studies, the hotel industry…)
- Increasing access to education by building or renovating primary schools as well as boarding houses for children in middle school and high school.
OUR NEWS IN LAOS
A new primary school for the children of Huay Duea
The village of Huay Duea in Laos is located 70 kilometres north of Vientiane.
Sister Marie-Catherine, a life for Laos
On 12 January 2022, Sister Marie-Catherine, one of our emblematic leaders in Laos, passed away. Of Vietnamese origin, she had dedicated her life to […]
Combatting Boredom During Lockdown
Countries and their populations are not equal in the face of the health crisis that hit the world over a year ago. Asia, a […]
Children of the Mekong’s programmes start in Ventiane in Laos’ capital under the initiative of its founder: Rene Pechard.
1958
The organisation is forced to leave the country after the communist take-over on December 2nd, but continues to help the Laotian people in the refugee camps.
1975
Children of the Mekong returns to Laos and continues its programmes there.
1996
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