Indigo Threads Newest Teacher's Training College Scholarship Awards-2009

November 4, 2009

Three exuberant students from the Pakse Ethnic Boarding High School were awarded Indigo Threads scholarships to the Pakse Teacher’s Training College in September 2009.  Indigo Threads scholarships are directed to ethnic students, enabling them to return to their rural village to teach in their village school.  Ethnic students are often not given the same opportunities for continued higher education.  There is a critical teacher shortage in rural areas, making it impossible to meet student’s educational needs.  One teacher may teach 5 grades.

All three recipients selected the 3-year Teacher’s Training College Program and have varied ethnic backgrounds from different southern Laos Districts, between the ages of 19-21 years old.  They are anxious to begin this important phase in their life as college students.  Indigo Threads expectation are for them to be the very best they can be in all they do.

Mr. Anouvan (Youre) has some English skills in preparation for his English studies.  Although he has lived and studied at the Pakse Ethnic Boarding School for the past 6 years, as well as the other recipients, he remains a country boy.  Never purchasing a pair of shoes before, he asked Indigo Threads associate, Mr. Sin, to help purchase his required uniform shoes and clothing.  His is acquainted with the famous, Atiane, Indigo Threads scholarship 2008 graduate, now teaching secondary school English near his village.

      Photo:  Mr. Anouvan (left)   Ms. Meyer, Director    Mr. Somsay (right)

Mr. Anouvan presented Ms. Meyer with a beautiful handwoven textile from his family.

Mr. Somsay, in order to meet the registration deadline procedures, swam the river after the bridge collapsed at his village during the recent destructive tropical storms.  He arrived with only the cloths on his back.  Lao language is his main course of study.  Mr. Somsay has an outgoing personality with numerous friends to help him with his studies.

Miss Leo was awarded Indigo Threads special circumstance scholarship.   Being orphaned as a baby, she had no means of obtaining a higher education but a dream to become a teacher.  With a personal recommendation from the Ethnic School’s Director, Miss Leo is on her way to becoming a secondary school teacher.  She was harvesting rice when her family received the call of her acceptance.  She is extremely grateful for this opportunity she thought she might never have.

Photo:  Miss Leo's Uncle (left)            Ms. Meyer, Director                   Miss Leo (right)

Each year the costs escalate, now nearing $500.00 per year.  Indigo Threads scholarships provide recipients with tuition, textbooks, school supplies, uniform, dormitory accommodations and canteen service.  It does not provide for all their needs.  We expect students to work with the school’s on-site Work Program as an investment in their own education AND to receive good grades.  Indigo Threads Director visits the students thoughout the year monitoring their grades and well being.

Indigo Threads will be announcing an expanded focus Scholarship Program, which will help provide extremely remote rural villages with teachers.  In cooperation with District Education Departments, students will volunteer to assist the teacher/s in their village school the first year.  With a committed scholarship, they will then enter the Teacher’s Training College Program.

Footnote:  You may notice, photos of Laotian people often reflect an unhappy face.  Be assured, they have a beautiful ready smile except for the unfamiliar cameras that are not part of their lives.

Good wishes for good health and happiness from

Mary D. Meyer/Executive Director

Indigo Threads

www.indigothreads.org

mdmeyer@indigothreads.org

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