Indigo Threads BUILDS SECOND SCHOOL
April 6, 2008
INDIGO THREADS will begin construction on their second school, April 2008 at Ban Lieng Village, Southern Laos. Announcement of this new ambitious construction project had been delayed by INDIGO THREADS President, Mary D. Meyer, until all negotiations had been completed. With confidence, INDIGO THREADS is looking forward to working in cooperation with the District Education Department, school administrators and village leaders.
Although INDIGO THREADS usual focus is improving primary school education, this project was selected to encourage secondary school students to continue their education past the compulsory primary levels. The 3-classroom building will be an additional structure to replace classrooms that can be considered little more then shacks, covered with a decayed tin roof, not enclosed with dusty dirt floors. Another new larger building was constructed with Poverty Reduction Funds in the past 2 years. Unfortunately, funding ran out before this building was completed. During the January semester break with a donation of concrete, students went to work and constructed the concrete floors, replacing the dirt floors in all 7 classrooms. This school provides secondary education for students from INDIGO THREADS assisted ethnic villages. These students travel long distances by bicycle to attend.
The 3-classroom school addition will be slightly larger then INDIGO THREADS previously constructed primary school, completed August 2007. The building will be very similar in appearance, simply constructed without plumbing or electricity. A photo of the previous completed school is available in the blog section, titled ‘School Donation/ Dedication Ceremony ’, November 3, 2007. When INDIGO THREADS commits to building a new school, latrines and available safe drinking water is addressed. Because Ban Lieng Secondary School has a high student population, INDIGO THREADS has committed to building additional latrines. One safe well exists on the property, which is considered acceptable.
Laos is no exception to inflation. INDIGO THREADS projected budget to construct this school is $12,000., still considered an excellent value by all standards. In addition, this projected figure takes into consideration the sliding devalued US dollar INDIGO THREADS purchases their own building materials to keep costs closely controlled. For this project, finish carpenters will be hired and directed by INDIGO THREADS. The Village has committed to donating hand milled lumber to construct the structure and bamboo.
Your donations are needed to help fund this school. Through education we can help make a positive change in this desperately poor Country. Pay Pal is available for your convenience on this web site; click the donation page.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY. WE ARE GRATEFUL.
Note: The construction of this school eventually cost about $22,000.
posted and prepared by mdmeyer 3/24/08
For more information, please contact Mary D. Meyer/Indigo Threads/President-Director.
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