SUMMARY:

The goal of this project is to have a positive impact on the development of Laos, by increasing the choices, life-chances and employment opportunities of a diverse range of financially disadvantaged students through increased access to education. To do so, GVI aims to equitably support both males and females through English language lessons, female-only classes, scholarships for secondary, tertiary and vocational education and training, as well as medical and basic needs support. This increases their access to employment opportunities, strengthens self-determination and contributes to the development of Laos’s society as a whole.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

Educational opportunities and socio-economic status are closely related in Laos. Economic disadvantage and entrenched cultural values restrict access to education, and opportunities for higher education and English language acquisition are limited. This is only exacerbated for those living in rural areas. Consequently, males commonly travel to Luang Prabang to seek out greater education and employment opportunities by joining the temples and becoming Novice Monks. Females’ opportunities are decreased further because they lack the option to enter the temples. Many females must forego further education in order to stay home to support the families, while others are faced with cultural and social barriers, where keeping girls and women in the private sphere is often favoured over higher education. In addition, many young girls leave their villages in search of employment opportunities, however, lacking education, experience or support are tricked or forced into the sex industry. 

HOW WILL THIS PROJECT SOLVE THE PROBLEM?

In conjunction with community consultation and strong local partnerships, the project identifies young people at risk of not being able to receive secondary, tertiary or vocational education and provides them with sponsorship and access to English classes and general educational support. This project aims to respond to these interconnected issues by offering support and dispersing funds, English lessons, scholarships and basic-needs support across these several targeted groups of disadvantaged students in order to allow them to increase their future life-chances and employment opportunities, which in turn stop the cycle of poverty and inequality in Laos. Target groups include Novice Monks, through partnerships with local temples, and young Lay males and females, through partnerships with local colleges. In addition, the project works closely with a local NGO to provide support, education through female-only classes and a safe and positive learning environment to girls rescued from the sex industry. Your contributions will allow GVI Laos to strengthen its existing projects and partnerships and to further the growth of new ones. In turn this will allow us to increase the percentage of students we reach and support, allowing them to begin and continue to build self-sufficient futures.

LONG TERM IMPACT

By furthering educational opportunities for financially and socially disadvantaged, but highly motivated students, this project will increase the capacity of students to contribute towards the economic and social development of their communities and their country. In recognising the correlation between increasing female education, economic and social participation, and increasing GDP, the project also aims to encourage an increase in the percentage of females receiving education and scholarships. Ultimately, GVI aims to provide equal access to education, scholarships and employment opportunities so that individuals can meaningfully contribute towards the development of Laos.