Hang Khone
Background...
Located in the beautiful region of 4000 Islands, in the south of Laos, Ban Hang Khone is situated on the island of Don Khon, nestled between the smaller island of Don Det to the north and the Cambodian border to the south. Approximately 180km away from Pakse, the road is well maintained to the pier, where a boat will transport you to the island.
Located in the beautiful region of 4000 Islands, in the south of Laos, Ban Hang Khone is situated on the island of Don Khon, nestled between the smaller island of Don Det to the north and the Cambodian border to the south. Approximately 180km away from Pakse, the road is well maintained to the pier, where a boat will transport you to the island.
The island of Don Khon in wet season (2014).
There are 49 families in the community with a population of 312 people with the majority being of Lao Lum ethnicity. The school cares for 39 students and 2 teachers in a primary school where the ages range from 4-11. Being situated on an island in the Mekong River, the community largely work in fishing, as well as textiles and rice cultivation.
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The Project:
To build three new classroom buildings to provide enough capacity to provide access to education for all those that need it.
To build three new classroom buildings to provide enough capacity to provide access to education for all those that need it.
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We hope to gain funding to be able to bring the project to fruition as early as possible. However, we are aware funding is sparse and relying on what we have available would give the project three stages over 18 months. 6 months per classroom, bringing each one to completion before starting the next. This is not ideal, however we are determined to support the community as best we can and remain optimistic of gaining support to speed up the process. Nonetheless, each stage will involve volunteers digging foundations, laying bricks, mixing cement and then plastering, painting and adding the finishing touches. The work will range from difficult labour, digging and lifting materials in the heat, through to more relaxed work with paintbrushes.
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Slideshow of the current wooden building which is falling apart. The village is need of a larger, well built structure.
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The local primary school is currently at capacity and falling into a state of disrepair. Termites are slowly but surely decimating the wooden framework, not only causing damage to the aesthetic quality of the building, but also over time this could bring into question the schools structural integrity. With a lack of staff members and not enough teaching space, classes tend to be of mixed age ranges. This is not only a difficult environment to learn in, but it is detrimental to the development of the children. We see a great opportunity to modernise the school through the construction of a new building. Larger classrooms, built with bricks and concrete as opposed to timber will stand for a generation. Not only will it enhance the education for the students currently enrolled, but it will also open the door to new students who currently don’t gain an education. It will become a hub within the community and within the island. Having been in discussions with the community for over a year, we are delighted to announce the project and believe it will greatly enhance the community.
Boats looking out from the shore of Don Khone toward the Cambodian border (2014).