"These nails are more than enough, I will show the others how to cut the bamboo and we can borrow the cutting knives from our friends and we can use these nails to make beds for everybody in this room". It's amazing what a little nail does. Even though one little nail may seem useless, invaluable, rusty and old, it can however bring comfort, build beds, build relationships and give hope. The Suan Pao School at Suang Luang is an amazing school with over 700 students most of whom are orphans or students whom are dependent on the state/government/charitable organisations and kind hearted individuals. By reading this I am hoping you will be aware of the school's existence and hopefully one day you (or a friend whom is heading to Luang Prabang) will be able to visit the school and donate schooling needs or sponsor a school meal for the school. You can even volunteer your time at the school by teaching English for a few months. Originally the school was formed to help young locals with furthering their education. But now it serves as a dormitory accommodating various students from different backgrounds namely those without parents or guardians, those from smaller ethic minorities, and those whom come from broken homes and families. The school is neatly tucked away and is surrounded by beautiful mountains in the cosy village of Suang Luang 25 km from down town Luang Prabang. Located just of the main highway linking LuangPrabang and Vientiane, the school is a hideaway from other towns and villages and tourist. Major funding from the Japanese in the late 90's initiated concrete dormitories. This funding was short lived as the funding was designated for the dormitory buildings for students at the time i.e. less than 100 students. Since then, more and younger helpless students in surrounding towns/villages/mountains/cities have been pouring into the school. Hence, the struggle and hardship of the students. The students gather and help each other. With over 700 students and the lack of funds, meals are only provided twice a day of which includes mostly of sticky rice and vegetable soup. Those who are fortunate get to stay in concrete dormitories sleeping on homemade bamboo beds or on a straw foldout mat. Others however, sleep in bamboo huts sharing with over 50 other students side by side. With extreme weather in Luang Prabang mountains, the students face very hot humid summers to very chilling cold and freezing nights during winter. With more and more students pouring into the school every year more funds are needed to keep them there and provide food, shelter, education and other basic necessities of life. Please click onto the photos, blog and video tabs above to get a bit more info about the school. Or for a personalised info account on Luang Prabang click onto the link below.  | |||||||
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