Lone Rider
Blokes Who Can
Last week, while in Luang Prabang, I was taken by a good friend to the LEOT English Learning Center. The Center is a purpose built center with state of the art facilities and all graduate teaching staff, and serves the needs of the underprivileged young adults who cannot afford fees to attend the existing language schools. LEOT offers totally free enrolment and teaching. The parent and funding body, LEOT (Lao Educational Opportunities Trust) has been operating in Laos for 6 years offering a scholarship programme, enabling young people to study at College and University. At any one time it has 20-25 students on its program (see www.leot.org.uk)
The Center is funded by voluntary donations; mostly from UK but also, Australia, Canada and Japan. It will cost about $160 to fund a student for a year. Classes are small and interactive with native speakers supporting the core Lao teaching staff. Teaching is at Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced levels and, as the courses will be part time, it will enable students to work and/or undertake other study opportunities. The acquisition of English Language skills is crucial to the career development of many workers in government, business and tourism but hitherto has been beyond the means of many young people. For once, the poorest students will be at the front of the queue for the best facilities!
Where is LEOT? - LEOT is located at N19.89375 E102.14516 on a small side road off Khoundouangchan Rd. which is outside the old city on the NE side of the Nam Khan river. If you are in the old city area, cross the Sisattanak Bridge over the Nam Khan river (the old iron bridge - no cars allowed - only bikes, motorbikes and pedestrians) and turn left at the Maha Ouphalath Phetsarath Rd. and follow the paved road along the Nam Khan river for about 1100 meter and LEOT will be on your right (next to the S&W Lao-German Butcher). Phone +856 - 30 - 988 7088
What does LEOT need? Donations are always welcome such as Whiteboard markers and Cleaners, Photocopy Paper, English language books (preferably illustrated), English language DVD's (movies, cartoons, etc.), Bicycles (a lot of the students are very poor and quite a few walk long distances to reach the Center) and lots of other stuff. They also welcome well qualified volunteers in the areas of teaching, administration and practical skills. There are no fees to volunteer but LEOT asks that you commit to a minimum of several weeks.
I'll be going again to Luang Prabang in about 2 weeks and if you have anything to donate (like books, etc.) I'll be happy to bring them along and drop them of at their school.
From LEOT's Facebook Page:
The LEOT school has started a new term. Many of our students walk several miles to lessons every day. A bike costs about £50. Can you help us with a gift to help buy a bike?
The LEOT Computer Center - The World Bank donated all their old computers from their Vientiane Office so the students can now also gain computer skills
