Laos – Educational Outreach – Images

You will be staying in the village of Ban Houakhoua just outside of Vientiane, the capital and largest city of Laos. Known as the “City of Sandalwood,” Vientiane is located on the banks of the Mekong River and is one of the quainter cities of Southeast Asia. The city is knowm for its immaculate roadside gardens, spotless streets and symmetrical architecture. This French-inspired city is slow-paced, laid-back and a nice respite from the typical bustle of Southeast Asia.

The school has about 60 students between the ages of 4 and 12, all of whom are in need of additional educational assistance. As a volunteer, you will be responsible for teaching English language classes at the local primary school in accordance with the school’s curriculum. This involves teaching basic English grammar, vocabulary and conversational phrases, as well as creating practical, real-life situations that are fun for the children to role-play while utilizing their English. You will also organize and lead extra-curricular classes in English that vary in content, but typically include playing games and sports, singing songs and arts-and-crafts projects.

A typical day: 9:00 am to 11:00 am will be time for you to prepare lessons and activities for your upcoming classes in the afternoon. At 12:00 pm you’ll have lunch, followed by teaching English from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm. You’ll have time to meet with fellow volunteers and staff to evaluate the day and plan for the next day at 5:30 pm, and then dinner is served at 6:00 pm. Your evenings will be free to either explore the local sights or participate in the site’s weekly events such as movie nights, karaoke and barbecues. You have Saturday and Sunday off to relax after a week of teaching or to explore the area.

Holidays: Although the exact dates are subject to change depending on the local schools’ plans, the tentative dates of these holidays are:

• Jan 20 – 24, 2020 (No volunteering).
• May 11 – 15, 2020 (Change of location, but teaching continues).
• Jun 1 – Aug 30, 2020 (Volunteers have the opportunity to join in English teaching camps organized with the local Buddhist monks at a nearby temple).

Volunteer work does not take place during national holidays, but you are always welcome to join in the local celebration.
Please note these consecutive holidays, which may impact short-term placements, before registering:

• April 13 – 17, 2020

Internet: WiFi at the accommodations is limited. Volunteers can purchase a local SIM card and data plan that work best for them, if more coverage is needed.

Laundry: Laundry services are not available.

Accommodations: Volunteers will stay in single-gender dorms with up to 6 people. All rooms have a Western style toilet and shower. There is no hot water.

Food: From Monday-Friday, three meals a day are provided and served at the guesthouse. Breakfast will be American-style and lunch and dinner will include typical Laotian dishes, consisting of rice, noodles, meat and/or fish with plenty of fresh fruit. On the weekends, only breakfast and dinner are provided. Most meals will include both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options; however, we ask that you please inform us ahead of time if you have dietary restrictions to ensure that we can plan accordingly.

Please take note of this project’s minimum requirements:

• Minimum age of 18
• Police clearance
• Good level of English
• Motivation to work with children
• Able to work in hot and humid climate
• Immunizations (please consult your local travel clinic)
• Teaching experience preferred, but not necessary
• CV/Resume to be submitted upon registration

Culture Week (Highly Recommended):
For an additional fee you can begin your stay for a week, with a program that includes Laotian cooking lessons, language classes and tours to learn more about the Laotian people, culture and customs. Visit some of Laos’ highlights, such as the Golden Pagoda, Victory Monument and lush hiking trails through caves and mountains. This is an opportunity to immerse yourself in this truly remarkable country while also getting to know the other volunteers on your project.

Near the accommodations you will find temples and authentic, rural Laotian scenery. Many volunteers head to the country’s largest city and capital, Vientiane, in the afternoons. Some sights you will find there include:

• Patuxai – Vientiane’s take on the Arc de Triomphe and their own victory monument. You can climb it to enjoy the panoramic views!
• Wat Si Muang – A Buddhist temple for those who want to absorb some religious culture.
• Night Market – Every evening at the Mekong river, this is the place to be for locals as well as tourists.