Water
Water can be dangerous. This year Laos has been hit by tropical storm Podul and tropical depression Kajiki. This has resulted in heavy flooding in big part of the country, including in the Champasak province and “four thousand islands”. The water got to the lower parts of the houses, affected the crops, and destroyed many bridges. Children were out of school for few weeks. The current in the Mekong river got stronger. Most people, even if they enter the river daily, cannot swim. That is why I continued swimming classes in the nearby pool built recently for tourists.
The flood further affected accessibility of clean water and hence the need for water filters is even bigger. I therefore brought another set of filters from Terra Clear.This time I delivered them to the families on the neighbouring island Don Een, having first visited the village there with the chief and identify those in need. On the day of the delivery they all came to help unloading the boat and carefully listened to my explanation on how to use and maintain the filters. Many came with kids, who enjoyed the entire event a lot. Next day I visited them again and saw with huge satisfaction the first liters of the filtered water ready to be drunk. With the upcoming dry season and raising temperatures it will be so important to stay hydrated.
The flood further affected accessibility of clean water and hence the need for water filters is even bigger. I therefore brought another set of filters from Terra Clear.This time I delivered them to the families on the neighbouring island Don Een, having first visited the village there with the chief and identify those in need. On the day of the delivery they all came to help unloading the boat and carefully listened to my explanation on how to use and maintain the filters. Many came with kids, who enjoyed the entire event a lot. Next day I visited them again and saw with huge satisfaction the first liters of the filtered water ready to be drunk. With the upcoming dry season and raising temperatures it will be so important to stay hydrated.
Health
I continue to monitor the health of the Little Girl, who had kidney stones removed three years ago, her father who was diagnosed last year with diabetes, the girl who fought a cancer as well as I go around checking the community asking if they feel fine. The girl, who had a cancer is now fully recovered and continues her studies. However, another girl was feeling sick and her parents were about to bring her to the clinic. I took the opportunity of travelling north myself and brought the Little Girl and her father to the hospital for the examination. The Little Girl had a small infection but in general she is fine, her father also improved a lot. Equipped with medicines, they should be safe.
And after the long day of journey and medical tests, I took them for a dinner. We also used the opportunity to go to the shop for necessary hygiene products and some school materials. They left home the next day very happy.
And after the long day of journey and medical tests, I took them for a dinner. We also used the opportunity to go to the shop for necessary hygiene products and some school materials. They left home the next day very happy.
Education
Education is the passport for the future. That is why my project started with education and this still remains my main focus. It is only through learning and developing skills of critical thinking that these children can build resilience to risk of poverty, trafficking and change their own lives.
That is why whenever I come I continue to work on the literacy boost distributing books. Reading is a basic skill. It is a cornerstone for a success in school, personal fulfillment and chances to get a job that allows having proper standard of life. Reading is a means of language acquisition, of communication, and of sharing information and ideas. It enhances creativity and critical thinking. Reading is dreaming with open eyes, a way to expand mind, open eyes and fill up the heart.
As enhancing English skills forms part of resilience building, I also try to give every time some classes. However, these are punctual actions, which I can perform once I am on the spot. Therefore I thought of investing in education in a more sustainable way and did some preparatory work for launching a scholarship programme.
I learnt about the Phonsavan Highschool in Pakse - the closest city 140 km up north, which has very good ratings in Laos. Therefore I thought I could sponsor scholarships for two best students of the last year of the middle school in the island. Not only it would allow the smartest children with no means to get better education, but also would increase efforts and hopefully the level of education in the entire school as the scholarship could be an incentive to compete in excelling in studying.
I visited the Phonsavan Highschool in Pakse on my way back. It is a three years school giving a general education, including good level of English. When spotting me, students from all the corners were testing their skills asking plenty of questions. Phonsavan Highschool is a boarding school, hence beyond the education it also offers accommodation and food, which would make the students coming from the island safe and secure. I met with the director and senior teachers, who explained me the requirements to enter the school, the costs* and showed all the facilities. They would be happy to welcome next year students from Don Khon, but reminded me that the final decision on admission is being taken by the responsible Director in the Ministry of Education and Sport. Therefore I also fixed a meeting with the officials in the Ministry. They received me warmly and took note of the plan to set up a scholarship programme. I will be able to get in touch again towards the end of the school year when grades of students will be known.
* the inscription fee is around 40€, education, accommodation and food costs 25€ per month making it 300€ per year per child (900€ for the entire 3 years cycle)
That is why whenever I come I continue to work on the literacy boost distributing books. Reading is a basic skill. It is a cornerstone for a success in school, personal fulfillment and chances to get a job that allows having proper standard of life. Reading is a means of language acquisition, of communication, and of sharing information and ideas. It enhances creativity and critical thinking. Reading is dreaming with open eyes, a way to expand mind, open eyes and fill up the heart.
As enhancing English skills forms part of resilience building, I also try to give every time some classes. However, these are punctual actions, which I can perform once I am on the spot. Therefore I thought of investing in education in a more sustainable way and did some preparatory work for launching a scholarship programme.
I learnt about the Phonsavan Highschool in Pakse - the closest city 140 km up north, which has very good ratings in Laos. Therefore I thought I could sponsor scholarships for two best students of the last year of the middle school in the island. Not only it would allow the smartest children with no means to get better education, but also would increase efforts and hopefully the level of education in the entire school as the scholarship could be an incentive to compete in excelling in studying.
I visited the Phonsavan Highschool in Pakse on my way back. It is a three years school giving a general education, including good level of English. When spotting me, students from all the corners were testing their skills asking plenty of questions. Phonsavan Highschool is a boarding school, hence beyond the education it also offers accommodation and food, which would make the students coming from the island safe and secure. I met with the director and senior teachers, who explained me the requirements to enter the school, the costs* and showed all the facilities. They would be happy to welcome next year students from Don Khon, but reminded me that the final decision on admission is being taken by the responsible Director in the Ministry of Education and Sport. Therefore I also fixed a meeting with the officials in the Ministry. They received me warmly and took note of the plan to set up a scholarship programme. I will be able to get in touch again towards the end of the school year when grades of students will be known.
* the inscription fee is around 40€, education, accommodation and food costs 25€ per month making it 300€ per year per child (900€ for the entire 3 years cycle)