OUR STORY
What started as a dream to provide quality English education opportunities for marginalized communities in Laos is now a reality. In January of 2017, with Lao business partners, we opened the first English Language School with full-time, native English-speaking teachers (mostly Americans) in Thakheak - a small town of 40,000 people in central Laos. Thakheak is a quaint town with little access to the huge English market in major cities, and is not the typical place to start a social business. Yet we believe that everyone - especially small towns and rural villages - deserves an opportunity for English education and life improvement.
WHY LAOS NEEDS ENGLISH
Laos is the poorest country in Southeast Asia, with almost 24% of the country living below the national poverty line. This doesn't leave a whole lot of room for educational opportunities, let alone learning English, an international language. Those who can afford it will often send their family members to learn English in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Lao government departments and offices also struggle with a lack of English proficiency, as only a few high ranking officials can be sent to study English. Laos is also incredibly diverse, with many different ethnic groups - many of which have never met a foreign person, let alone an English teacher.
Additionally, the English instruction that is provided in public schools in Laos, is severely lacking, as teachers do not have the proper resources, pronunciation, or skills to instruct students using a participatory approach. Knowing the English language will open many opportunities for Lao people to pursue careers, seek sustainable incomes, develop their communities and improve their country.
OUR SOLUTION
We are a collective of formal and informal educators and volunteers who are passionate about helping people and teaching English. We believe that the best way to launch a successful for-profit English School in Central Laos is to initially volunteer our services, subsidize our time and train Lao English Teachers. The only payment that we are taking is a small stipend that goes towards our housing and Lao visa expenses. Since this is a social business, we want most of our profit to create maximum opportunities for new students and emerging professionals to learn English through our scholarship program.
YOUR INVOLVEMENT
We want to create an incentive and scholarship program for 20 students to study at our school, Khamsavath English School, for one year. Would you consider contributing towards these scholarships for Lao students and emerging professionals to learn English?
Our school currently has the capacity for 70 students and runs all year long, with 2 terms and 1 summer program. Each term is about 16 weeks and includes 70+ hours of English Language instruction from a native speaker. It costs one Lao student $200 per term (includes registration and books) or $400 for two terms (140+ hours = 1 year).
Join us in creating scholarships for 20 students! The total needed by February 28th is $8,000
HOW IT WORKS
20 Scholarships will be offered to selected needs-based Lao college students and up-and-coming Lao professionals in the town of Thakheak. Each potential student will go through an application and interview process to determine eligibility based on needs, lack of opportunities, and personal ambitions. Local Lao colleges and local government offices will receive 2 scholarships each, for example:
- 2 Scholarships for the Thakheak Vocational College
- 2 Scholarships for the Business Administration College
- 2 Scholarships for the Department of Health Education
- 2 Scholarships for the Department of Investment and Planning
- 2 Scholarships for the Department of Border and Customs
- 2 Scholarships for the Provincial Governors Office
- Other local departments and colleges...
YOUR IMPACT
Laos is on the verge of epic change as each sector (tourism, health, finance, business, education, etc.) opens up to the Western world...and together we can be a part of it through English language training, instruction, and support. It's not every day that we get to impact an entire country, one student at a time. We appreciate your partnership and financial backing. Please follow your impact on social media and feel free to engage with us throughout this journey.
