By Camille Soulier | Fundraising and communications advisor
At SENGSAVANG, we believe that education and adequate carrier opportunities are the best tools for integration. Our program is based on giving girls at risk or victims of trafficking the chance to reintegrate their communities with extra knowledge and competencies. These past few months, we have been focusing on methods to fight school dropout and facilitate reintegration into the educational system. So far in 2016, nine residents have been able to stay in or go back to school, by attending the public primary or secondary school located near the shelter, and two of our residents are attending classes in the close-by government-run informal school for adults.
Our aim is to remove all obstacles to accessing education. Girls who have been out of the system for too long, or don't feel like they are ready to integrate a new school community, benefit from an in-shelter informal education program. The program is based on the government curriculum and adapted to suit the victims at the shelter. A government teacher from the Non-Formal Education Department of the Ministry of Education dispenses classes four times a week, with literacy and numeracy as main objectives. Two course levels are offered to the shelter residents who have to pass exams on a regular basis. Classes are tailored to each individual girl, and teachers record their progress in a personalized book. This month, we have welcomed a new English teacher and a new French teacher to our team!
SENGSAVANG residents are all enrolled in an educational program, as well as their vocational training. Fourteen residents are attending our in-shelter informal school, and we have made great progress, since the Ministry of Education has officially recognized SENGSAVANG’s informal educational program. We have signed a learning agreement permitting students who have completed the in-shelter non-formal education program to reintegrate the public education system. SENGSAVANG has already issued 3 certificates for completion of the non-formal primary school.
When they first arrived at the shelter, the girls were convinced even basic education was out of their reach. This agreement has increased their motivation and self-esteem, and boosted us to increase our offer. SENGSAVANG is about to launch non-formal high school classes, in addition to primary and middle school levels.
Education is the key to reintegration and the main tool for independence in life, finances, and goals. By supporting SENGSAVANG, you are contributing to a national effort to promote education for girls in Laos.
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