Students from Singapore help build school in Laos

A group of sixteen people from Singapore help build a primary school in the remote village of Keaw Mai Loh in mountainous Xieng Ngeun district in Luang Prabang, Laos. Among them are 13 secondary students from Fairfield Methodist Secondary School and three adults.
Keaw Mai Loh Primary School is situated within the Xieng Ngeun Area Development Programme supported by sponsors from Singapore. Majority of the villages living in Keaw Mai Loh are poor minority groups who used to reside in more remote sites of the Khan River.
"It is a very meaningful trip. The students have learnt a lot and I'm sure they are going to bring back a lot of unforgettable memories and experiences," said Ms Ng May Gay, the teacher in charge of the group.
The group spent about five days working with the local community, mainly helping to level the grounds and cementing the floor of the school. They also spent a lot of time digging trenches and reclaiming lands under the hot sun. In addition, they also visited the Hmong tribe village and had a good understanding of the livelihood of the local villages.
"The building is tough but fun!" said Audrey Goh.
The present school consists of three-classrooms made out of wood, bamboos and straw with mud floor. As there is only a small window in each classroom; hence, there is not enough light in the rooms. During raining season, the floor gets wet and slippery too. The new school will be able to provide the children with a better learning environment.
"We have 103 students altogether now. We are very happy to have a new school. After the completion of the new school, we are expecting more students to come to school," said Khamman Sipaseth, one of the three school teachers.
"I think I am a changed person after this trip. Now I know how to appreciate what I have and I understand that real meaning of love," said Roxanne Foo.
"We are very fortunate and blessed. We should not take things for granted, " Lawrence Um and Mak Foo Wai agreed with each other.
Mdm Toh Siew Lan, another teacher, was very glad to see her students growing and learning within the few days. She said "They will never get to experience and learn all that they have within this week in school. This trip has opened them up and helped them see beyond boundaries."
"I've learnt that happiness does not equal to having material things. They may have less but they have a different kind of joy which we will never have," Samuel Beh remarked.
On the last day, the villagers gave everyone a hand-waived basket and all of them were smiling from ear to ear. In return, the group gave each family one packet of rice as a gift.
"We are very happy to see overseas guests come to help our children build a new school. We are very thankful for their kindness and compassion for us," said the village chief, Mr Khamphan Muangthavin.
The group spent about seven hours working hard in the day and another few hours playing really hard with the children after dinner every night. The girls would plait hair for the little ones, carry them on their backs and play hide and seek with them. They boys would play football and cards. They may not understand one another's language but they understand the meaning of friendship and the love they have for one another.
The students bonded so well with the boys and girls and got so attached to them that Angela Han said: "I can't bear to say goodbye. I feel like crying". She kept telling the children on the last night in Laos: "We are going home tomorrow. We will miss you. We love you! Will you miss us?"
The children replied: "We will miss you too!"
--World Vision
　

Source: www.vientianetimes.org.la

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