Re: The Challenge

drpao-oz, Chong, Born2be hmong and all,

My first reaction to this project is not far from waht many SCH member
expressed here. Yes we all know that a similar project has failed
before. So I also dig for more information. It seems like the most
successful projects in Laos are operated by "foreigner" non profit
organizations or even smaller private enterprises, and there were some
good reasons behind these success. The Lao government feels less
threaten by these entities as opposed to Hmong or Laos organizations
abroad that may be associated with "hostility". In such condition maybe
it is wiser to join groups that already established some ground work to
carry out project like this one. Foreigners may have personal interest
either seeking altruism by helping others or simply searching to heal
the wounds of the past, but either way their intention are good to help
the local people. They are very much aware of the situation in Laos.
Information from the world bank indicated that from 1991 to 1999, a
total of $13 M has spent into the school infrastructure and implemented
1100 classrooms for primary school and 175 classrooms for lower
secondary school. Of course the worlk bank finance 90% of the project.
With little imagination, one can see that nothing in the name of
education has been done since 1975 to 1991. As everyone can see,
education in Laos will need more than a small ilbrary in Nonghet, but
perhapls we can only handle a small library project at this time.
Dr. Pao if Lathung, this timeless land was able to produce a Medical
doctor at a time when there were no library and for sure the timing
wasn't ideal either then perhalp the hope for this project would
inspire another shoeless hillbilly to become another doctor in the next
20 years? If history repeats itself then this is a good one that I 'd
like to see. The good thing is that this peoject already has all the
obstacles cleared and could be achieve in a timely manner. Not only
that but it is a peaceful project that the LPDR would welcome. The
founder of this project probably didn't need $17000 to finish this
project. After consuming tone of reading I think that it is an
opportunity for the Hmong people to get involve. In fact it is not
expected to get big chunck of funding but smaller funding at big scale
participation. The winner in this project will be the children of
Nonghet.
On the other hand we wish that the Lao government extend its policy to
resolve all the problem of persecuting the Hmong people but that
decision remains within its own power and there are not much we can do
if the US is not taking any actions. Our inactivity will just continue
to prolong the sufferance of the helpless, just like those who are
strended in Thailand now.
For those who want to take on bigger challenge, the opportunity is
there. The dormitory project, the water well project and other peaceful
proposals. Being part of this library project may be just the start,
and perhap the begining of to break the Hmong stigma for not being
able to unite. For sure we have failed many time, and yet we
shouldn't stop trying either. SIbtham.



drpao-oz@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
Hi all,

Any thing to do with education is the right way to go... and Chong
effort need serious consideration. Nonhet is one of the 47 poorest
region in Laos so this place need help in evrything.

I stil don't know enough about the Nonghet's need for a library. When I
visited Nonghet, but just visiting and hosted by the Chao Mounag - the
District Officer - Nonghet needs help with everything. On the
schooling side, the most urgent need is having enough teachers,
especially to the more remote village in the district. So, I was asked
to find a way to build a dormitory at Phinsavanh for the Nonght
students to attend the Teacher College. The aim is to send student
from Nonget and surrounding vilage in that distrct to the Teacer
College so these teacher graduates can go cack to teach at the Nonget
distruct. Any taker on this project?

The second urgent need is to provide scholarship for those student who
finished grade 10 at Nonghet.. coz the students have to move to
Phoonesvanh. Many students could not go to Phonesavanh because their
parents cannot affort to send their children... the old stories that we
faced in the 60's and 70's. Any taker?

The third urget need is student text books and Teacher's manual for the
school - not just a Libray. But I have not visited any school in
Nonghet area to assess the degree of need - I only heard from the
briefing from the Chao Muong. When I was in Lat Houang, visiting my
old school, checking on the book issue. Yes... there is a real need
for books, text books for students and teaching manuals. The Lao
Minisytry of education has a series of text books for each grade and
teaching manual. The students are required
to pay for their text books but in the case of Lat Houang, only half of
the students have these text books and the eachers still have to share
their teaching manuals. While I was visiting the school, a request was
made by the school , the village, the district and the provincial
education section, to furnish the school library with Lao text books
for the students and teaching manual. They gave me a list of books
which amount to $3000. I am in the process of orgnising to purchae
those books for the school library.

The school need one computer and maps... so... if any one wanted to
donate computer to the school, just let me know.

As for the Nonghet's library, I don't know the degree of need for a
library per se... but definitely the school library will need more
books. And only a few thousand dollar only are needed to furnish the
entire school library and any project that will have text books
avaialble to the students will help the students right away.


Pao

awg@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
Chong,

Thank you for your information and effort. Now I know and understand
you better. Like I said before, I am dirt poor at this time but I was a
contributor to the Phonesavanh Library and Dindeng (Av Liab) schools
projects, so I feel your pain. I will squize me out a few dollars for
your project. Please email me privately for further correspondence on
this matter.

I like your philosophy. Too many of us are just plain too political. If
we truly love our people we should step in and help in any way we can
instead of playing the blaming game day in and day out.

Have a nice day,

nqq

ctj wrote:
Dear TswvYim,

If I saw a starving child sitting next to my enemy and I had the
opportunity to feed that child knowing that my enemy would take the
credit, would I do it? Or would I turn my back on the child to spite my
enemy.

I choose to feed the child! We are all faced with difficult choices
everyday and must decide for ourselves what is right and what is wrong.

As a friend said to me, "The agenda of this project is peace and
prosperity through education and economic growth. This history of America
as a nation of people who appreciate their good fortune and feel a human
obligation to share. It is our foundation. We Americans owe this to our
father not our sons. This project is motivated by transcendent ideals of
our affirmative obligation to help those who have sacrificed on our
behalf. Gratitude and the quest for peace and understanding ... not petty
temporal concerns of personal comfort or fleeting fame and power for all
of us who are making it happen".

Chong

.

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