By Leyla Isin-Xiong | Program Manager
To all of our supporters,
During the last 3 months, the GVI Trust’s focus in Laos has been on two major projects.
The first is the Wat Mano Refurbishment Project which focuses on UNSDG’s 4, 8 and 9. The state of the classrooms, desks and chairs at the school had begun to negatively impact the students learning experience, as such a proposal was written in phases to fundraise and refurbish the school.
We are pleased to share that this quarter, Phase 1 of the project has been completed! Through generous donations, we were able to pay a local carpenter to build 20 desks and 20 benches and have a local electrician install new wiring and fans throughout the classrooms. Through June and July Phase 2 of the project will begin where local builders will be replacing the walls, floor boards and veranda while the students are on summer break. We look forward to welcoming them back to refurbished rooms and a safe and positive learning space!
The second focus of the GVI Trust in Laos has been providing 2 scholarship opportunities for two of the Lao leaders of the GVI-Days for Girls Menstrual Health Initiative which focuses on UNSDG 3,4,5 and 8. This scholarship supported two females to attend and represent Laos on Menstrual health at a DFG Menstrual health conference in Melbourne, Australia.
On the eve of International Menstrual Health Day, Tarn and Soua, who recently successfully completed certifications with Days for Girls and became two of three existing Ambassadors of Women’s Health in Laos, travelled to Australia with Laos Program Leyla Isin and Community Liaison Lyly. Together they represented Laos on menstrual health and engaged with leaders from Days for Girls Australia, DFG Founder and CEO Celeste Mergens and DFG Chapter Director Tiffany Larson on current international challenges and ways forward regarding this important issue. They also underwent advanced workshops on sewing the DFG reusable kits, DFG team leadership, distribution, monitoring and evaluation and running a microenterprise.
They have now returned to Laos to continue working on the GVI Laos Menstrual Health Initiative, that to date has reached 421 women and girls with menstrual health education and reusable menstrual health kits since June 2017. They will begin implementing phase two of this initiative in the coming months and will be working on using the knowledge they gained at the conference to start a DFG microenterprise as well!
Menstrual Health solutions and education are pivotal for women and girls lives, opportunities and their own empowerment. Join us in raising awareness and taking action regarding this important issue today and everyday.Here's to a world where no woman or girl is limited or ashamed during menstruation!
Thank you for your continued contributions and commitment to the GVI Trust Program in Laos. We look forward to working together to continue to provide educational opportunities in Laos.
With Gratitude,
GVI Laos
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