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Lao Educational Opportunities Trust
August 2010
During August, Homeland Director Teng is kept busy chasing up student grades and results from the previous academic year. It is an exciting time for Trustees, seeing the results of what is almost universally hard work by our students.
Briefly, we are very happy to report that Boun Neio emerged as the top student in his year, and Anousone received highly impressive grades on his electrician training course and was awarded the basic diploma; he will however, with LEOT encouragement, continue his training with a view to obtaining an advanced qualification. Fae also secured highly impressive grades despite having to overcome problems of family illness, and Sisaveth made great strides forward despite herself having to cope with illness. But most plaudits are for Saythong, who has graduated from his course in Accountancy and French. His graduation ceremony will be in the next 6 weeks or so. During that time, he will wait anxiously to see if he has been awarded a scholarship from Insitute Francais to enable him to study in France for a further year. Throughout his studies Saythong has been an exemplary student who initially had various problems to overcome, but he has fully justified the support given to him by LEOT and the recommendation from the Childrens’ Cultural Centre in Luang Prabang, which helped secure his LEOT scholarship.
June 2010 - BBQ
More than 65 people braved the unseasonable cold weather to attend a BBQ generously hosted by Peter and Catriona Banwell, to raise money for LEOT. A bouncy castle, a magician, Sumo wrestling, competitions and a raffle of assorted Lao produced handicrafts all added to the enjoyable event. In particular, an auction of a preserved snake and scorpion in a bottle, although not for those of a nervous disposition, raised a great deal of interest.
April 2010 - Pii Mai (New Year)
LEOT students will distribute special Pii Mai Lao leaflets amongst those attending the major street processions. Posters have been prepared for display in major cultural buildings such as the Childrens' Cultural Centre in Luang Prabang. LEOT also hopes to take the opportunity to develop new links with other educational bodies such as Big Brother Mouse, which helps young people develop their skills in English.
January 2010 - Trustees confirm support for one student.
LEOT have agreed to support Khamphay Phomesavanh, a novice monk in Luang Prabang, with sponsorship from Anca Nicolin. (See January Newsletter)
December 2009 - SEA Games.
The South East Asian Games were hosted for the first time in Laos, with the home Country winning 33 gold medals. LEOT students Thong and Chansamai were both involved with the hosting.
September 2009 - Trustees confirm funding for four students.
Two students who had completed courses funded by LEOT were offered new sponsorship to study at degree level. LEOT now has two students studying at Rattana Business School in Vientiane (See attached story).
July 2009 - Trustee visit to Laos.
Chairman Alan Shiel visted Luang Prabang and Vientiane to meet with all our current students, the Homeland Director and prospective students.
March 2009 - Trustee visit to Laos.
Trustee Peter Banwell and his wife Catriona took the opportunity to introduce themselves to the Homeland Director and most of the students during their visit.
January 2009 - Trustee visit to Laos.
Chairman Alan Shiel visted Luang Prabang and met with all our students and the Homeland Director.
November 2008 - Photographic Exhibition in London.
LEOT were the beneficiary from the sale of photographs of Laos taken by Carolyn Kenney.
November 2008 - Lao Supper in London.
The supper was attended by about 30 people, with the food being prepared by LEOT Trustees and supporters.
September 2008 - Sponsored Cycle Ride.
Trustee Veera Vuorinen raised funds for LEOT by taking part in a cycle ride from London to Brighton.
September 2008 - Angel Canal Festival, London.
LEOT took a stall at the festival, where apart from selling a small range of Lao handicraft, we were able to explain our work in Laos and collect donations.
Floods hit Laos.
The rainy season has hit Laos hard this year, with towns and villages across the country suffering from floods as the Mekong and its tributaries broke their banks.
The pictures from Luang Prabang show water rising to the eaves of houses, making them totally uninhabitable and destroying property and furnishings. As ever, natural disasters hit the poorest hardest, many people having no insurance or savings. LEOT students were among those working hard to assist some of the most badly affected.
August 2008 - LEOT supporters save boat racing festival.
Ban Hat Hien annual boat racing festival went ahead recently thanks to the intervention of two LEOT supporters who were responsible for ensuring that the prize fund was in place Village boat racing festivals are more than mere sporting occasions, being a source of civic pride, the maintaining of historical legend and religious symbolism. The races, held in many towns and villages across Laos celebrate the ending of the rainy season (somewhat prematurely, it seems this year), the end of Buddhist Lent and are designed to lure the Naga out of the fields and back into the river so that the ploughing season may begin. LEOT is developing a special relationship with Hat Hien village and was very happy that its supporters were able to ensure that this great tradition has been maintained for another year. The prizes were presented by LEOT student Touy, and a large LEOT banner in English and Lao was on display at the finish line.
Fund raising on the canal.
LEOT supporters Alan and Hal entertained friends and colleagues on their narrow boats with a trip on the Regents Canal in London to raise money for LEOT. For once the sun shone, and a great evening was enjoyed by everyone with LEOT funds receiving a welcome boost. LEOT would be happy to hear from other friends or supporters willing to organise or promote fund raising events.
June/July 2008 - Trustee visit to Laos.
During their recent visit to Luang Prabang and Vientiane, Alan Shiel and Chris Hillman, carefully shepherded by the Homeland Director, Teng, were able to interview eight potential candidates for LEOT sponsorship. A number of candidates had been put forward by the Children’s Cultural Centre in Luang Prabang whilst others had been introduced directly to Teng. All potential candidates had been reviewed by the Trustees and a shortlist prepared in advance of the trip. At a presentation ceremony at the Children’s Cultural Centre, attended by the Deputy Director of Information and Culture Department, sponsorship certificates were presented to six potential candidates. The two other potential candidates received their certificates from Alan and Chris, subsequent to their interviews. The sponsorship was dependent upon each student passing the necessary entrance examination to the particular college.
Apart from meeting the potential students, Alan, Chris and Teng were able to meet the Deputy Vice Chancellor, along with most of the faculty heads, of Souphanouvong University in Luang Prabang. At this meeting, apart from hearing about the University, the courses offered and the accommodation arrangements, the aims of LEOT were explained and questions relating to the Charity answered.
News...
Student reviews in Luang Prabang
(August 2010)
BBQ raffle prize draw (June 2010)
Pii Mai flyer (April 2010)
Khamphay (January 2010)
SEA Games (December 2009)
Thong and Touy (August 2009)
Alan Shiel visiting Laos (January 2009)
Cycle ride (September 2008)
Angel Festival (September 2008)
Floods in Luang Prabang (August 2008)
Ban Hat Hien boat racing festival (August 2008)
Prospective and existing students (June 2008)
Meeting at Souphanouvong University (June 2008)