Phik Noy Primary School
Since January 2009, JWOC has been working with the village of Phik Noy; a community 11km outside of the capital of Luang Prabang. Located on the banks of the Nam Khan River, Phik Noy is comprised of around 70 Lao Loum and Khmu families, who gain income as farmers and produce sellers. There is only one school in the village, Phik Noy Primary School.
JWOC has been able to support Phik Noy with providing needed materials in the hopes of creating a better learning environment for the students. The support has included buying uniforms for students, supplying textbooks and reading books for the library, furniture for the classrooms, and bicycles for older students to continue their education in neighboring villages. JWOC also funded the construction of a needed additional classroom and teachers' room. You can read the story and see the pictures of its construction below.
Phik Noy Primary School Building
In April 2010, JWOC began an exciting building project with the village of Phik Noy. With only three classrooms the primary school was having to combine years and did not have enough space to teach all the needed levels including pre-school and the 5th level. Pre-school is extremely important in this community. Not only does it give these young children a good foundation in reading, writing and prepares them for their primary education, it ensures that their elder brothers and sisters can continue to attend their own classes rather than having to stay at home to look after their younger siblings. Having all 5 levels in the village will ensure students do not need to travel until they move onto secondary school.
The village needed and was keen to make their own extensions to the school but without outside support this was going to be limited to bamboo and metal structures which would not contribute to the long-term future of the school. Therefore in collaboration with the village chief and all the families living in the village, JWOC decided to assist the community in the construction of additional classrooms and bathrooms and a teacher’s room at the primary school.
JWOC believes that the new school building should be a sustainable addition to the school and village. Therefore the building should be functional, well-built and thoughtfully planned that will provide educational opportunities for future generations at Phik Noy. The success of this project lies in the involvement of the community, both financially and emotionally.
JWOC has ensured that, while we can help them with the larger costs, that the village feels ownership and responsibility for the project and process. In the long term, JWOC has also facilitated an agreement with the Ministry of Education to ensure teachers are provided for all the grades in the future and plans to facilitate workshops to help support the village in their management of the school. Through a series of village meetings, communal work days to collect sand and rock for the foundation, pledges and a monthly payment plan for all families, the project is now underway.
Progress Updates
October 2010: Painting and finishing touches at the school!
In October, all the families living in the village came together to help paint and put the finishing touches on their new school building. A lot of fun was had by all in the process and the building looked fantastic at the end and is something the whole community can take a great deal of pride in.
September 2010: Construction finished!
September was a very exciting month for the village and all the children studying at Phik Noy Primary School. Three brand new classrooms were finished alongside a much needed teacher's room and new bathroom facilities! Most importantly the project was finished in time for the new school year and classes have begun already in the new spaces. In the coming weeks the village will come together again to paint the building. Watch this space!
August 2010: Nearing completion
With the roof fully installed the builders have been moving ahead with the walls and the interior of the classrooms. The building is really taking shape and we are excited to see it nearing completion so quickly!
July 2010: A month of great progress!
The month of July saw progress on the classrooms leap forward with the completion of the foundations, and the entire structure of the building being put into place. The villagers were all involved with gathering the sand and stone from the local river for the foundations and they worked hard to fill them in, even during the difficult conditions made by the Rainy season. Once the foundations were complete the experts completed the concrete beams and columns before the roof structure was installed.
June 2010: Construction starts!
We have begun to make this partnership a reality with the start of construction on the new classrooms! Thanks to the generous and continued support of our donors, particularly The Laughton Foundation, and the participation of each and every family in Phik Noy, the costs of constructing the school have been secured. We look forward to sharing with you the progress of the building as it moves forward and the benefits it brings to the community after completion.
