Senior leader visits field work in Bolikhan Programme area

To gain a deeper understanding of World Vision Laos’ programs, the East Asia Regional Director of World Vision International, Agnes Ting, visited Bolikhan programme area on November 24th.

“I am proud of the Lao team and happy to see the outcomes of World Vision’s work in Laos,” Agnes Ting said.

“The primary school drop-out rate has decreased from 23% to 5% since we’ve started working here. Stunting in our target villages is at 6%, compared with a district average of 45%,” said Lamphoun Phonphomphun, Bolikhan ADP manager.

During the field trip, Ms. Ting visited an integrated demonstration farm to see how farmers develop land for fish breeding, quail breeding, and vegetable planting.

“We hope this farming model will be a learning center for farmers that we work with,” Lamphoun said.

An important part of the day was meeting with Ms. Sida Phanthala, the District Vice Governor and Chair of the District Implementation Management Committee. During the meeting, the Vice Governor was able to easily list World Vision’s contributions in Phase I of implementation. Ms. Ting was also able to express World Vision’s thanks for past support and ongoing partnership.

Ms. Ting and the team visited Nalong, Dong village, where a presentation by the Village Development Committee was given to describe and discuss the different areas of collaboration with World Vision.

The primary school building where all gathered, was donated to the community through private funding from World Vision Korea.

“We admire the confidence of these children to express themselves through dance, and we look forward to seeing these children graduate and attend secondary school,” said Chris Herink, National Director of World Vision Lao.

To guarantee maximum benefit for children, Ms. Ting encouraged the programme staff to expand their program of integrated farming model to as many households as possible.

Mr. Lamphoun has a plan and a dream to develop Bolikhan programme into a research and learning centre for everyone.

“Government counterparts, community leaders, and farmers can come and transform theory into practice,” he said. “In the future, we also would like to focus on increasing the number of model families. We are just getting started!”