SECOND SCHOOL Donated September 12, 2008

December 4, 2008

INDIGO THREADS is extremely proud to have built and donated their second school in just one year’s time.  On September 12, 2008, Pathoumphone District Education Department and the people of Laos were presented INDIGO THREADS new 3-classroom building, at Ban Lieng Secondary School, Champasak Province, Southern Laos.  One hundred thirty excited bright-eyed secondary school students began the 2008-2009 school year in their sparkling new classrooms.  The classrooms were furnished with 40 quality built table/bench style desks, occupied by 3 students.  With each donated school, INDIGO THREADS now provides a large enclosed storage cabinet to preserve the school’s supply of textbooks.  Textbooks remain at the schools, as they are the property of the school not the students. 

The 3-classroom building is an addition to an existing 7-classroom building INDIGO THREADS has projected to complete in 2009.  This building was built 5 years ago by another Organization although not completed.  We anticipate adding doors, windows shutters, paint inside and outside and adding permanent entrance stairs to the building.  The campus sits high on a hill with a background of lush forests overlooking a scenic rural valley.  This school provides education for 800 secondary school students from 21 surrounding villages.  Secondary school consists of grades 6 to 11.  Anticipated in the near future, grade 12 will be added to the curriculum bringing the Laotian education system up to International standards. 

The official Donation/Dedication 'hand over' Ceremony was attended by 150 invited guests from the Government Education, Forestry, Cultural and Administrative Departments, village chiefs and elders and students.  The traditional Bacci Ceremony, a Buddhist blessing, followed the Dedication Ceremony.  Students took an active part in preparing and executing the celebration.  The girls prepared delicious Laotian food and made the elaborate flower arrangement for the Bacci Ceremony. The boys set-up the staging area and graciously served the guests.  The students’ participation and attendance will be a significant addition to future Indigo Threads Donation/Dedications Ceremonies as the schools are built for the students giving them an appropriated learning environment, encouraging education.  INDIGO THREADS invited ten musicians from Non Phout Sampone Village to entertain the guests with their traditional ethnic music performed on hanging gong drums dressed in their traditional ceremonial attire.

 

Enjoy the additional photos of Ban Lieng Secondary School progressive construction on our website Photo Journey, titled BAN LIENG SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION.   As you will notice, construction methods are rudimentary but effective.

Our upcoming 2009 construction project is the completion of Ban Lieng Secondary School’s 7-classroom building.  The projected cost to complete is $8,000.00 taking into consideration the lowest dollar exchange rate in our 4 year Laos history.  Help fund this school completion with your generous donations.   In addition to individuals support, we are seeking corporate sponsorship, Foundation grants and the support of Church Organizations to fund our 2009 budget and years beyond.

Mary D. Meyer
Indigo Threads/President-Executive Director
Laos Education Support and Village Development
A Non-Profit (501-3-C) Humanitarian Organization
www.indigothreads.org
mdmeyer@indigothreads.org

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