News 2010

Help us to make a major difference to a young person’s life and career

Lao Educational Opportunities Trust

Registered Charity Number: 1115944

December 2010

Chris Hillman, LEOT Trustee and Treasurer, visited Laos and was able to meet most of our students in Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Apart from inspecting various potential premises for the proposed Institute, Chris was also able to meet with various Department of Education officials.

November 2010

It is with great regret that we have to give the news of the recent death of Catriona Banwell. Catriona had been a keen supporter of LEOT, particularly in respect of the minority groups in Laos. Our heartfelt condolences go to Peter and his family.

Touy, who is expected to graduate in July has been shortlisted for a US graduate school scholarship. Over 1,000 candidates applied and he is now into the last round. Nothing is guaranteed of course,and the odds are still against him, but we are obviously delighted that he has impressed the selection panel in the same way that he impressed us 4 years ago, If successful he will study in the US for one year taking a Graduate Diploma. (See November Newsletter)

October 2010

Yuti has now started a 5 year course at the Law School in Luang Prabang, supported by LEOT. He is working for the police in the Drugs Unit and has been encouraged by his Managers to obtain an academic qualification, which will help fast track his career. Early informal reports on his progress suggest that he is doing exceptionally well.

LEOT has recently played host to Linda De Wolf from the US based organisation Go Philanthropic. Linda was able to hear first hand from the students about their issues and the support that they are receiving from LEOT. She was also able to visit one of the students in her home. All participants seem to have found the visit a rewarding and fruitful one.

September 2010

Our students are now all returning to College and University. In Vientiane, Phonesiva, Thong and Touy will all be starting their fifth and final year, while Saythong who received his Diploma recently has, with LEOT support, been given the opportunity to return to College to upgrade it to a full Degree. Meanwhile, Mai in Vientiane and Kheak in Luang Prabang will be starting their first year of LEOT funding.

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.

(See June Newsletter)

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)

News - 2010