Scholarships and Sponsorships for Laos Students

Can’t believe it’s July already – well, except that it’s really hot, humid and the river levels are creeping higher up the banks daily!

We’ve had a big, dynamic first half of 2012 with continued growth, success and always new changes on the Laos programs. The rest of the year looks set to have loads of exciting new things too:

• Field Staff departing after approximately 15 months in-country and new staff coming on-board with their ideas
• A Construction Project to commence mid-August
• Our Charitable Trust alms-giving Challenge will run from 20th – 24th August to raise much needed funds for the newly expanded aims of the Charitable Trust in Laos
• An expanding range of temple schools – we’re continuing on at Wat Pasaviet (a staple fave of past volunteers!), the novice primary school Wat Mano, our village temple Wat Na Xang, along with an exciting new partnership with a brand new novice school at Wat Pak Ou. Keep an eye on the blog for updates as we kick off the next academic year there in July.
• New partnerships with Lao teachers, along with extra training and professional development opportunities
• The new 6 month Internship on the Teaching Children program will kick off in the third quarter!
• A new combination volunteering option, partnering projects in Thailand and Laos along with some awesome side trips....Laos is looking at a cooking course and an off-the-beaten path waterfalls and villages trip. Keep an eye out for the start of that one late in 2012.

A BIG 6 months indeed! GVI Laos continues to be a success with volunteers, students and our Lao community partners, and we’re proud to say our achievements and developments keep mounting.

Watch the blog for exciting updates over the coming months to learn all about GVI Laos in 2012.

The Laos academic year runs from August/September through to June.  Summer programs for English are frequently offered by many schools, whilst other students, including trainee teachers, happily graduate from their courses with diploma or bachelor in hand!  GVI works with the community to offer English tuition year-round and to support both students and teachers over the vacation period.  This year looks set to be a big summer!   

Endings came in the form of examination periods at several schools.  GVI had a significant role at several partner schools, including Xayadeth College (3 year diploma course), Wat Mano (temple primary school for novice monks) and Kok Gniew (primary village school).  GVI assisted over 300 students to take their assessments, writing and marking test papers and moderating the exams.  Year 5 students at Kok Gniew achieved excellent results considering their short time in an English program, achieving an average of 61% with a top score of 80%!  Well done to all the kids from kindergarten to year 5.      

GVI was honoured at Kok Gniew Primary School with a traditional blessing ceremony, known as a basi, accompanied by traditional Lao dancing performances, singing and a hosted lunch.  It was a wonderful day for volunteers, staff, students and Kok Gniew teachers alike.  Even the Village Headman dropped by to pass on his sincere thanks for GVI’s work, and welcome us back in the new academic year in September.

It was also graduation time!  Five of GVI’s Lao teaching partners celebrated their graduation with a Bachelor degree from the Teacher Training College.  Laden with gifts they had some serious celebrating to do before the task of finding permanent teaching roles either in Luang Prabang or in their home villages.

Finally, we commenced the summer period with the start up of short term English programs across three partner locations.  Volunteers will be kept very busy with the fun teaching program of new beginners!  GVI Laos wish our dozens of graduating students well, and aim to continue supporting the graduating teachers through further professional development opportunities, such as the all day session upcoming in July!