The crumbling school building offers neither structural safety nor protection from extreme weather conditions.

​Discussions are underway about where the new building will be located.

​​The selected site is ready for construction to begin...

Project description:

The Lao People's Democratic Republic remains one of the poorest and least developed countries in Southeast Asia. Despite remarkable social and economic progress since independence in 1975, many communities suffer from significant disparities in prosperity.
The village of Thong Kab in the district of Xieng Hone in Xaignabouli province is one such disadvantaged region. Founded in 1984, the village now has 1,340 inhabitants from 226 families. It is a peaceful and safe community, free from crime, landmine risks and natural disasters. Most residents work in various sectors, including livestock farming, construction, public service and agriculture, while some, especially the younger generation, seek work in neighbouring countries.
Thong Kab Nursery School, located in the centre of the village, currently cares for 77 children (31 boys and 46 girls) from Thong Kab and the nearby village of Seenokxai. Built in 2004, the wooden building with a zinc roof and cement floor has fallen into serious disrepair over time. After more than two decades, the building no longer provides a safe and conducive learning environment. Rotten beams, a leaky roof, cracked flooring and holes in the walls offer young learners no protection from extreme heat and heavy rain. In addition, the school lacks adequate furniture, lighting and ventilation, forcing children to sit on the floor in dark, stuffy classrooms. Furthermore, there is only one toilet in poor condition for approximately 80 people, both pupils and teachers. This significantly compromises hygiene standards, especially in a daycare centre where children develop healthy hygiene habits and a foundation for lifelong learning.
To address these urgent issues, we have decided to construct a new school building that will include three fully equipped classrooms and a staff room where teachers can rest during breaks. The plan also includes three new toilets to significantly improve hygiene conditions for the children and staff.

Implementation:
As with all our projects, the local community will play an active role in the construction process. This involvement is crucial to fostering a sense of ownership and long-term responsibility for the school's success.
A local construction company will be hired to supervise the work, while community members will contribute by providing key materials such as timber for the frames and assisting with essential tasks, including providing labour for ground filling, connecting electricity and supplying water for the construction. Payments are made in instalments according to the progress of construction, with 10% of the labour costs retained for 12 months as a quality assurance guarantee.
During the rainy season, when roads are muddy and difficult to navigate, delays are to be expected. This could affect progress in the first four months of construction. Nevertheless, construction is scheduled to begin in August 2025, with completion expected in April 2026.