Nam Gha
(completed: April 2014)
(completed: April 2014)
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Background...
Approximately 80km to the north of Luang Prabang sits the village of Nam Gha. Set amongst a backdrop of mountains and jungle, the village is a vibrant community with a plethora of interesting people. As a central point in the Nam Bak district, children from over a dozen surrounding villages utilise the school, travelling distances of up to 10km to access their right to an education. |
The Project:
To assist in the construction of a five classroom extension to the school and an additional library facility |
construction, ceremonies, warm welcomes, fond farewells... and five classrooms completed!
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This was our outline and justification. Now we are seeing the benefits...
Nam Gha school is currently at capacity, with 615 students enrolled. The village is situated centrally in the Nam Bak district and is utilised by students from fifteen surrounding, more remote, villages. |
With staff numbers falling just below 40, and a lack of classroom space, the extension will provide greater opportunity to manage class sizes and increase capacity. The longer-term goal is to turn Nam Gha in to a central hub for education. Taking students from wider communities, but also to begin training teachers,
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and hold extra educational courses With the view being to make Nam Gha more than just a school, but to turn it into a central educational hub and leaning centre. The extra classroom space will allow an additional 180 students to enrol, and there is certainly the demand in the surrounding area for increased educational availability.
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Of course, countless residents in Nam Gha will benefit from the construction over the years to come. Nonetheless, here are three of the locals we met before the project commenced and who are now the benefactors.
Name: Lamphou
Age: 24 Role: English teacher A new recruit at Nam Gha School, Lamphou moved to the village in September following his graduation, where he achieved a degree in English. As well as teaching at Nam Gha, he frequently offers his skills in more remote villages around rural Laos, teaching Lao language to try and combat illiteracy. He notes his concern surround illiteracy, particularly in rural areas. He visits Luang Prabang often to practice his English with tourists |
Name: Cheulee
Age: 31 Role: English teacher Born in a remote village in rural Laos Cheulee is not actually 100% sure of his date of birth. He has had a very interesting journey in life. He studied English at University and worked at a private school for two years before moving to Nam Gha where he has been based for four years. He has every intention to remain in Nam Gha; such is his commitment to educating rural children. His English is good but he is looking to improve. |
Name: Khamoun
Age: 16 Student Khamoun approached us to help with some of his English homework. He aspires to be a tour guide, hence his desire to gain proficiency in English. Whilst he claims his language is poor it is actually very good, and his commitment to learn is evident. Travelling 8km from his village to the school he is certainly dedicated. He will probably approach you, but if not you will find him on the soccer field most afternoons. |
Now the handover ceremony has been completed, the village now take ownership of the school building.
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