A Sunshine Coast-based charity is continuing to make a difference in South-East Asia, with plans underway to upgrade facilities at a busy kindergarten and primary school in northern Laos.
Project Vietnam Inc, which provides humanitarian aid across Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, has identified a derelict building in the village of Pak Mong – about 400km north of the capital Vientiane – as its next priority.
Publicity officer Claire Simpson said the building was the original kindergarten for the area but was left abandoned after a new school complex was completed in 2024.
“The new complex includes a high school, primary school and kindergarten,” she said. “But with more than 100 students now enrolled in the kindergarten, the three-room facility is overcrowded.”
The group plans to next year renovate the old kindergarten building and add fencing along the rear and side of the site to safely separate younger children from older students in the adjoining schools.
The project also includes modest upgrades to the primary school, where volunteers will install ceiling fans and improve lighting by upgrading the fuse box to support more reliable electricity.
“Our volunteers will complete the work over two weeks in 2026, with an estimated cost of just $5000,” Ms Simpson said.
“That includes $3000 for the kindergarten and $2000 for the primary school. Every dollar will go directly into the project.”
Ms Simpson said funds were raised almost entirely by volunteers and members on the Sunshine Coast, and all operations were run from home to minimise overheads.
“We have no office or marketing costs,” she said. “We do it because we care.”
Project Vietnam Inc is encouraging new members and donors to get involved. Ms Simpson said donations of teaching resources and school books were also welcomed.
“When you donate to a particular project – like this one in Laos – I personally purchase the books in the local area and deliver them directly to the school,” she said.
To learn more visit projectvietnam.com.
