SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT Receives TEACHING CERTIFICATE

July 13, 2008

Atiane Saiyasou received his teaching certificate from the Pakse Teacher’s Training College in Pakse, Laos on Thursday, June 19, 2008.  This was that exciting, important day we had waited 3 years for.   Atiane is especially honored by INDIGO THREADS for his diligence, excellent grades, (always at the top of his class) and choosing to teach at a rural school when he had other options.  He received the first scholarship awarded by INDIGO THREADS Teacher’s Training Scholarship Program for the more difficult advanced 3-year program.  After a one-year internship, Atiane will become an English teacher at Tha Taeng Secondary School near his rural ethnic village of Lek.  Rural schools are in great need of dedicated teachers, particularly, teachers with current education.    

 

We are particularly proud of Atiane, as he would be considered in the US, a disadvantage, underprivileged young man.  He and his older brother were orphaned at an early age when both parents died within months of each other from an unknown illness.  Although they had little to provide for their own family, his older sister and her husband took the boys into their rural home raising them with their other children.  (This is a common practice in Laos.)  The family first lived near the Vietnamese border and later relocated to a more productive farming area in Sekong Province.  Because he was an excellent student with good grades, the District Education Department selected him for a full scholarship to the Pakse Ethnic High School, a disciplined boarding school where I first meet him.  He asked to practice his English with me.  Atiane has a big personality and certainly, not shy like many of his younger classmates.  He was awarded INDIGO THREADS 3-year scholarship without competition.  During a recent visit to Southern Laos, my family and friends were graciously invited to meet Atiane’s family at their rural village home.  All 35 family members were waiting to greet us with a warm welcome to their meager traditional home. It was the highlight of our trip, a special experience we will not forget.

Atiane has an exciting career ahead of him.  By 2011, The Laos Government has mandated English be taught in all schools beginning in level 3.  Currently, English is taught in secondary schools for a couple of hours a week.  Language skills come easy to Atiane.  He first learned his ethnic Katu tribal language and then, Vietnamese, living close to the Vietnam border.  The third language was Lao which he says is more difficult then learning English.

INDIGO THREADS wishes Atiane a great teaching career helping others achieve their goals and dreams through his example and dedication to teaching. 

A $500.00 donation will allow us to provide an underprivileged student a full one-year scholarship, including room and board, to the 3-year program at the Pakse Teacher’s Training College. Pal Pal is available on this website to receive your generous donations. THANK YOU.

Submitted by Mary D. Meyer                mdmeyer@indigothreads.org

 

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