Project description:

Lao PDR is considered one of the poorest and least developed countries in Southeast Asia. Even though the social and economic conditions in Lao PDR have improved since its independence in 1975, there is still significant wealth disparity amongst Laotians. Samakkheexai Nursery School is located in Samakkheexai Village, Xiang Hon District, Xaignabouli Province, Lao PDR. Samakkheexai Village was established in 1998 by grouping the Khmu ethnic group from various villages in the mountainous areas of Kiwmao, Kiwmeud, and Xiang Hon District.

The majority of villagers work as farmers, gardeners, and cassava cultivators, contributing to the farming economy in the area. Some villagers have sought employment opportunities in Bokeo Province and Thailand, primarily engaging on various manual jobs available abroad.

The Samakkheexai Nursery School was initially built in 2005 and it serves Samakkheexai Village together with the farthest village, Hua Na, located approximately one kilometre away. For the academic year 2023-2024, there are 68 kindergarten students, including 28 boys and 40 girls. The school has one main building containing a single classroom. In 2019, an additional building with one classroom was constructed using bamboo and a zinc roof. After almost two decades of use, the main building has deteriorated especially in its roof. The other classroom with the bamboo walls is also worn-out now, and it is not suitable to accommodate the children anymore. The holes in the walls and roofs of the buildings have completely exposed the classrooms to weather elements such as rain and dust, and allowed noise from the outside, creating a chaotic environment for such a nursery school with young children.

Therefore, a new school building with three classrooms is urgently needed. This new facility will not only provide a safe environment that helps children to develop socially, physically and cognitively, but it will also emphasise the importance of early childhood care and development to the entire community. Additionally, we will construct one teacher’s room for teachers to rest during breaks and a storage room. Furthermore, we will also build three new toilets to help improve the sanitation standards of the school, prevent hygiene-related illnesses, and help reduce dropout rates.

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