Lao Voices

There are many non-profit organizations (NGOs) that are working hard to improve the quality of education in Laos. Below is a story about a Lao lady who is dedicating herself to improve the quality of education in Laos by working with Room to Read non-profit organization from the Vientiane Times Newspaper.

Woman dedicates herself to children’s education

“Seeing smiles on the faces of children brings me much happiness and empowers me to continue my work,” says the Country Director of Room to Read Laos, Ms Somphet Phongphachanh.

Ms Somphet was born in 1963 in Luang Prabang province. She studied at a local secondary school and graduated with excellent grades.

“I then got a scholarship to study in Vietnam, but I didn’t have any idea what I wanted to study, so I just followed other people’s ideas and decided on medicine like all my friends,” she said.

She graduated from Tai Bing University , Vietnam , in 1989 with a degree in medical studies; she then began a job at Mahosot Hospital as a nurse in the anaesthetic department.

“I don’t think that medicine is a bad field, it’s just that I was not suited to it and one reason for this is that I’m a sensitive person. When I saw patients I often pitied them and cried; sometimes when I saw blood during an operation it made me feel ill, so it was unfortunate that I was not enjoying my work,” said Ms Somphet.

“I’ve used this as an example for young readers when writing books for them. If they are yet to decide on a career path, I suggest they think carefully about exactly what they want to study, otherwise they’ll waste their time and effort in changing careers as I did.”

Ms Somphet left her job at the hospital and found a volunteer position at the organisation Action with Lao Children, which gave her the opportunity to visit children in rural areas and help them overcome their problems.

“At first I didn’t have any vision; I just worked to make money to support my family. After eight years at the organisation heading development projects, I began to think about how I could help the development of children in Laos,” she said.

“When the Room to Read organisation came to Laos I was inspired by their vision to help children, so I helped them attain the documents necessary to get set up here.”

Room to Read Laos offered Ms Somphet the position of country director due to her vast experience in writing for different educational publications, such as the New Educational Newsletter, but she refused their offer because she preferred to work in a familiar environment.

However, several months later her friends and colleagues convinced her that she should work with Room to Read because they shared the same vision for children in Laos.

Room to Read Laos was established in 2005 and is funded by its American head office and individual donations. Its objective is to ensure girls and boys receive equal access to education, provided in a good environment, with adequate materials and facilities.

The organisation aims to equip every school with a library. Through Room to Read activities, children will improve their reading, speaking and presentation skills. Gifted children will be supported to continue their education at higher levels.

“Currently we run our project in Phongsaly, Xayaboury and Saravan provinces. The reason we work in these areas is because we want to make the most impact with our limited resources. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs suggested that Saravan and Phongsaly were most in need of educational assistance,” said Ms Somphet.

“Xayaboury province has a reasonable standard of education, but we decided to work there because we wanted to develop and change the education system to create a model province.”

“In the three years of the project we have established 362 libraries, built 72 schools, printed thousands of copies of more than 30 new local language titles and given scholarships to 200 girls,” she said.

Ms Somphet said that during her three years at the organisation she has been visiting children in rural areas and found that many children are unhappy because they do not have access to adequate education facilities and have to help their families with housework, instead of studying and playing games.

“I think developing education for children is essential and is something that needs to be done now. It’s not the duty of one person, but of governments, parents and families,” she said.

“I remember a young girl in one rural village who told me she wanted to be a nurse when she grew up, so she could help people. This struck a chord with me because her village is far away from any large cities so many sick people die because they receive treatment too late.

“Now, when I see the smiles of children, it inspires me to continue my work and help develop children’s education in Laos to the best of my ability,” said Ms Somphet.

By PHOONSAB THEVONGSA
(Latest Update March 19, 2008)