Help us to make a major difference to a young person’s life and career
Lao Educational Opportunities Trust
TRUSTEES
Alan Shiel - Chairman
Alan Shiel was involved in Higher Education all his professional life, in particular at University College London. The interest in providing support for Lao young people to go to University arose through a chance meeting with a group of monks at a temple in Luang Prabang in 2006. This led to the formation of LEOT and its approval in July 2006 by the Charity Commission.
Alan came to realise the enthusiasm for learning which existed, and the considerable barriers which young people faced in achieving their true potential. Like the other Trustees, Alan is a realist and knows that the extent to which a small charity can help is limited, but the low living costs associated with poverty in Laos mean that relatively small sums can go a long way to provide support for a group of students.
On his return to the UK, Alan shared his discoveries with friends and colleagues and found a surprising enthusiasm to assist. Alan now spends much of his time living in Laos.
See Alan’s blog about life in Laos.
(LEOT accepts no responsibility for the content of external links.)
Chris Hillman - Treasurer
Chris was born in Birmingham . After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1979, he moved to live and work in London . Since 1983, he has worked in the commercial property industry as Director of Finance with a number of City institutions.
As one of the founders of LEOT, Chris believes that delivering support to the underprivileged will ultimately benefit the society and that a country such as Laos deserves the support of the international community. Chris has visited Laos on two occasions.
Chris has the responsibility for handling the financial affairs of the Trust and maintaining the website.
Peter Banwell
Peter’s family has lived in South Bedfordshire for about 300 years. He is married to Catriona and lives in the market town of Leighton Buzzard. Peter is self-employed and runs his own vehicle engineering business.
Both enjoy travelling and have explored many Countries in South East Asia. They first visited Laos in February 2008. Having been enchanted with the Country and its people they joined LEOT as supporters on their return.
Peter and Catriona returned to Laos in February 2009 travelling down the Mekong to Luang Prabang and then on to Vientiane and Pakse in the South. During their stay they spent time in Luang Prabang and Vientiane meeting and getting to know our students and homeland director Teng.
HOMELAND DIRECTOR
Thalavanh Vongsonephet (“Teng”)
Teng lives in Vientiane and is an English major from The National University. He currently also holds a post with the World Bank. He is 25, born in Luang Prabang where his father is the head of a primary school.
Teng contacted LEOT in March 2007, expressing a wish to work with the Charity, and the Trustees, realising the importance of having a Lao national to look after the affairs of the Charity within Laos, were delighted to appoint him to the position.
SPECIAL ADVISER
Bounlom Jume Sananikone
Born in Thailand, of Lao parents, Jume flitted equally between Thailand and Laos until her late teens. A very short spell in France to finish her secondary education was followed by her residence in Scotland since 1976. Degrees and a professional qualification were awarded by Scottish universities and institution. She qualified as a Chartered Accountant in the early 1980’s. She is currently based in Aberdeen and works as a CA in a multi-national corporate environment.
Her proudest achievements, to date, are, bringing up 2 daughters (half Scottish) to appreciate Eastern values and different cultures; and self funding a Masters degree in her early 50s!
She considers herself and her daughters to be privileged to have had numerous opportunities to learn and would like to extend the same privilege to other like minded individuals.
Jume’s role is to advise on cultural issues and generallly participate in the affairs of the Trust.
Administration...