Indigo Threads Supports Remote Village School Construction

August 2, 2010

In a scurry to beat the upcoming monsoon season, making the dusty rutted dirt road impassable (path), tuk tuk driver Mr. On and Director Mary loaded up roofing material and supplies to help construct a new classroom to enlarging the village’s primary school.  As this is a Lao Yaa Village Project, the villagers themselves provide construction labor and some materials with a helping hand.   Indigo Threads gives greater consideration to support school construction when villagers take the initiative to help themselves, as this village has.

Photos below introduce you to Lao Yaa Village life, their students and school and Indigo Threads journey.

Note:  Laos is experiencing a devastating drought.  The 2010 summer monsoon season never developed.  Families have not been able to plant their annual rice crop due to a lack of irrigation, depending only on the annual monsoon rains. Glutinous rice makes up 75% of rural Laotian’s diet.  Families already struggling to survive will have an insurmountable challenge ahead to feed their children.

Photo:  Lao Yaa Primary School (Km. 60) students and facility.  One hundred and ten students from grades 1-5 attend their village 3-classroom school.

Photo:  Lao Yaa rural remote village is typical of rural life.  Numerous family members sleep upstairs in their enclosed thatch house.  Most other activities are under the cooler portion of the stilled house.  This village has 3 hand pump wells to serve their large community.

Photo:  Livestock, pigs, chickens and ducks, roam freely throughout the villages, in both rural areas and cities.  It is not uncommon to find animals under the house enjoying the shade.

Photo:  Villagers started construction on their new classroom addition.

Photo:  Village leaders accept Indigo Threads school construction building material donation.

Photo:  Tuk On and I have not forgotten the dusty treacherous path to reach Lao Yaa Village; not once but twice.  A third survey visit is anticipated to verify the completion of the school . . . . . by motorbike.

Photo:  Almost at the end of the path . . . . only 3 Km. more.  The village women honored our visit with a beautiful traditional Lao lunch.

posted by Mary D. Meyer/Executive Director at mdmeyer@indigothreads.org

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