Phouva Vorapanya had a dream long before he fled Laos when he was 16 years old, and many years after the Vietnam War ended. His dream was to rebuild the primary school he attended in the village he grew up in, Ban Navangtai, also the name of the primary school. This dream became a reality when he met Asad Rahman and Olivia Lorge, two of the Board of Directors of Project Enlighten. Project Enlighten is a non-profit organization that helps fund special projects such as education and humanitarian assistance internationally, with a focus in South East Asia. The directors’ dedication to helping people around the world inspired Phouva to execute his dream of rebuilding schools in his village.
Talks began on the rebuilding of Ban Navangtai Primary School in 2007. In late 2008, Asad and Olivia visited Ban Navangtai, Laos to assess the project scope. Planning continued throughout 2009. Phase I & II were completed in 2010 during which the foundation, walls, and brickwork were built. Phase III was initiated in January of this year, however the project has been challenged with limited funding. Their goal is to raise $5000 to finish Phase III.
This is how you can help:
1. Personal Check payable to “Project Enlighten.” In the memo section of your check, please indicate “Project Laos.” Mail check to: Inspired Designs by Patricia, P.O. Box 262192, San Diego, CA 92122
2. OR, make your donation at Project Enlighten’s website:
Instructions on how to make donation through Project Enlighten website:
II. Click on the link for “Donations” on left-hand side of home page
III. Click on the “Donate Now” button which is the orange box near top of page
IV. Complete each of the fields on the donation page
a. For Program Destination, choose “Project Laos” from the drop-down menu
b. For the Dedication field, please be sure to type in “For Patty” so that we can track how you learned about our program and where your generous donation came from
V. Click the “continue” button at the bottom of page once all fields are completed
VI. Please review the information on the next page, the “Final Step” page
VII. If all information is correct, click the “Donate” button at the bottom of the page; please only click the button one time.
More behind Phouva’s drive to complete this project.
In 2006, Phouva returned to his village in Laos for the first time since he left the country in 1984. He was united again with his mother and immediate family members after 22 years, a reunion full of happy emotions. Unfortunately, Phouva’s father was killed during the Vietnam War, but the visit back home was a bittersweet reminder of who he is, where he came from, and what he would like to accomplish in his lifetime. This moment in time while reunited with his family, he will cherish forever. The celebration and festivities continued throughout the month that he spent with them. During his time spent there, he also returned to his primary school and while the memories of growing up in the village and attending this school brought back so many emotions, he continued developing ideas to rebuild a firm foundation and ongoing education and economic system for the village children. Phouva has since returned to Ban Navangtai, Laos in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 to visit family and continue the effort to finish rebuilding his school.
The drive to fulfill his dream of rebuilding Ban Navangtai Primary School deepened even further after his first couple of visits back home. Phouva’s main role in this project is to manage the construction of the new school. Since Phouva resides in the U.S. and has a day job as a firefighter, he spends his evenings on the phone with the local project manager in Laos to ensure that the finances and materials are being provided accordingly to get through each milestone of the project. The materials to build the primary school are from funds raised and provided by the Project Enlighten organization; the labor is provided by the local village men of Ban Navangtai Village on a voluntary basis.
Audra Garcia, Phouva’s girlfriend, supports his dream by assisting with the written communications in English that is needed to communicate the progress of the project to those involved in the project and donors. They met in 2002 and she has been there for Phouva to help make his dream become a reality. She visited Phouva’s village with him in 2006 and 2008 and hopes to return soon.
After Phase III is completed, the long-term goals of this project are as follows:
1. Expand and rebuild the secondary school in Ban Navangtai Village.
2. Further expand project into other schools in surrounding villages.
3. Continue providing a training program for their teachers.
4. Scholarship provisioning.
Photos:
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| Ban Navangtai School Children |
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| Phouva & School Staff Planning |
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| School Construction |
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| School Construction |
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| Phouva, School Staff & Planning |
