ດ້ວຍທຶນການສຶກສາ #AustraliaAwards, ທ່ານນາງ ແສງທິດາ ສີວິໄລ ໄດ້ຮຽນຈົບຈາກມະຫາວິທະຍາໄລ Murdoch ໃນປີ 2022, ປະລິນຍາໂທດ້ານການຄຸ້ມຄອງຊັບພະຍາກອນມະນຸດ. ໂຄງການຂອງທ່ານນາງ ແສງທິດາ ຈະຕິດຕັ້ງພະລັງງານໄຟຟ້າ ຈາກແສງອາທິດ ຢູ່ ໂຮງໝໍນ້ອຍ ບ້ານພົ່ງ ແຂວງ ສາລະວັນ. ການຕິດຕັ້ງນີ້ຈະສາມາດຊ່ວຍປັບປຸງການເຂົ້າເຖິງການປິ່ນປົວສຸຂະພາບ, ຫຼຸດຜ່ອນຄວາມສ່ຽງໃນການເກີດອຸບັດຕິເຫດ, ແລະ ປັບປຸງຄຸນນະພາບການບໍລິການ.
“ໂຄງການຂອງຂ້າພະເຈົ້າມີຊື່ວ່າ “ພະລັງງານແສງຕາເວັນເພື່ອສຸຂະພາບ: ອານາຄົດສົດໃສດ້ວຍພະລັງງານແສງຕາເວັນເພື່ອພັດທະນາເຂດຫ່າງໄກສອກຫຼີກຂອງລາວ”. ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄດ້ແນວຄວາມຄິດຂອງໂຄງການນີ້ເມື່ອຜ່ານ ໂຮງໝໍນ້ອຍບ້ານພົ່ງ ແຂວງສາລະວັນ. ໂຮງໝໍແຫ່ງນີ້ ຂາດສິ່ງອຳນວຍຄວາມສະດວກພື້ນຖານຫຼາຍດ້ານ, ແສງໄຟບໍ່ພຽງພໍໃນຕອນກາງຄືນ ສຳລັບໃຫ້ບໍລິການຄົນເຈັບ ຕະຫຼອດ 24 ຊົ່ວໂມງ. ໃນເວລາທີ່ຄົນເຈັບມີຄວາມຈຳເປັນມາປິ່ນປົວສຸກເສີນ ກໍ່ພົບອຸປະສັກໃນການເດີນທາງໃນຄວາມມືດ. ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າວາງແຜນທີ່ຈະໃຫ້ເຂົາເຈົ້າມີໄຟ ທີ່ນຳໃຊ້ພະລັງງານແສງອາທິດ ເພື່ອເຮັດໃຫ້ ມີຄວາມປອດໄພສໍາລັບຄົນເຈັບ ແລະ ພະນັກງານ. ໂຮງໝໍນ້ອຍບ້ານພົ່ງ ໃຫ້ບໍລິການ ປະຊາຊົນ 3 ບ້ານ ໂດຍມີປະຊາກອນທັງໝົດ 3.629 ຄົນ”
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With an #AustraliaAwards Scholarship, Ms Sengthida Sivilay graduated from Murdoch University in 2022 with a Masters of Human Resource Management. Her project will install solar powered lights at Pong Village Health Centre. This can help improve access to healthcare, reduce the risk of accidents, and improve the quality of care.
“My project is called “Solar Health: A Brighter Future for Rural Laos”. I came up with this project idea when I passed by Pong Village Health Center in Salavan Province. This hospital has poor infrastructure with limited lights at night while there is a 24-hour service. When patients come for an emergency, the darkness is a barrier for them to access good service. I plan to provide them with solar-powered lights to make it safer for patients and staff. Pong Village Health Centre covers three villages with a population of 3,629, we will also install solar powered water pumps to deliver reliable clean water for the Center”
ທ່ານ ນາງ ວຽງລາຕີ ເກດສັດຖາ ເປັນນັກຂ່າວຜູ້ທີ່ມີປະສົບການສູງ ຢູ່ໂທລະພາບແຫ່ງຊາດລາວ. ທ່ານ ໄດ້ຈົບປະລິນຍາໂທສາຂາສື່ສານມວນຊົນ ໃນປີ 2010 ດ້ວຍທຶນການສຶກສາອົດສະຕຣາລີ ແລະ ມີແຜນຈະຍົກລະດັບຄວາມສາມາດຂອງນັກຂ່າວລາວ ໃນການກະກຽມເປັນເຈົ້າພາບອາຊຽນໃນປີ 2024.
“ນີ້ແມ່ນໂຄງການທີ່ສຳຄັນ ແລະ ທັນການ ປະກອບສ່ວນກະກຽມໃຫ້ປະເທດພວກເຮົາ ໃນການເປັນເຈົ້າພາບ ກອງປະຊຸມສຸດຍອດອາຊຽນ ທີ່ຈະມາເຖິງ ພ້ອມດ້ວຍ ກອງປະຊຸມສາກົນອື່ນໆ. ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າມີແຜນຈະຈັດຕັ້ງປະຕິບັດໂຄງການຝຶກອົບຮົມ ຢູ່ ນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈັນ, ຊຶ່ງຜູ້ໄດ້ຮັບຜົນປະໂຫຍດໂດຍກົງ ແມ່ນຜູ້ເຂົ້າຮ່ວມຈາກ ສື່ມວນຊົນລາວ ໃນທຸກຊ່ອງທາງ ລວມທັງໂທລະພາບ, ວິທະຍຸ ແລະ ໜັງສືພິມ. ພວກເຮົາ ຈະຮຽນຮູ້ ກ່ຽວກັບການນຳໃຊ້ເຕັກໂນໂລຊີໃໝ່ໃນການຜະລິດບົດຂ່າວ ແລະ ເພີ່ມທະວີຄວາມຮັບຮູ້ ແລະ ຄວາມເຂົ້າໃຈ ກ່ຽວກັບ ຫົວຂໍ້ຕ່າງໆ ທີ່ຕິດພັນ ກັບກອງປະຊຸມສຸດຍອດອາຊຽນ.”
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Vienglaty Ketsattha is an experienced journalist with Lao National Television. She completed a Masters in Journalism in 2010 with an #AustraliaAwards scholarships and plans to improve capacity of Lao journalists to prepare for Laos to chair ASEAN in 2024.
“This is a very significant and timely project as part of the preparation for the coming up ASEAN summits and other international events. I plan to implement a training program in Vientiane which will directly benefit participants of Lao media in all platforms including television, radio and newspaper. We will discuss using new technology for producing news stories and increase awareness and understanding on issues related to the ASEAN meetings.”
ທ່ານ ນາງ ໃຈເພັດ ພັນທະເກສອນ ເປັນຮອງຫົວໜ້າ ສູນການແພດຟື້ນຟູໜ້າທີ່ການ ແຂວງຈໍາປາສັກ. ຫຼັງຈາກສໍາເລັດປະລິນຍາໂທ ສາຂານະໂຍບາຍພັດທະນາຄົນພິການ ທີ່ມະຫາວິທະຍາໄລ Flinders ໃນປີ 2020, ອະດີດນັກສຶກສາທຶນການສຶກສາອົດສະຕຣາລີ ທ່ານນີ້ ໄດ້ສຸມທຸກເຫື່ອແຮງ ເຮັດວຽກຊ່ວຍເຫຼືອຄົນພິການຢ່າງບໍ່ຢຸດຢ່ອນ.
“ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ຕ້ອງການນຳໃຊ້ປະສົບການ ທີ່ໄດ້ເຮັດວຽກຊ່ວຍເຫຼືອ ຄົນພິການທາງຮ່າງກາຍ ເພື່ອສ້າງຄວາມຮັບຮູ້ ກ່ຽວກັບ ວຽກງານການພັດທະນາແບບມີສ່ວນຮ່ວມ ຂອງຄົນທີ່ມີຄວາມພິການ ຢູ່ ແຂວງສາລະວັນ. ໂຄງການນີ້ ມີເປົ້າໝາຍເສີມຂະຫຍາຍ ຄວາມເຂົ້າໃຈ ກ່ຽວກັບການພັດທະນາແບບມີສ່ວນຮ່ວມຂອງຄົນພິການ ໃນຫຼາຍຂະແໜງການ, ໂດຍສະເພາະຂະແໜງສາທາລະນະສຸກ ແລະ ຂະແໜງສຶກສາ ແລະ ກິລາ ແຂວງສາລະວັນ ເພື່ອສົ່ງເສີມການເຂົ້າເຖິງການບໍລິການທີ່ຈຳເປັນທີ່ພັກລັດສະໜອງ ໃຫ້ແກ່ກຸ່ມຄົນທີ່ມີຄວາມພິການຢູ່ ແຂວງສາລະວັນ.
ໂຄງການນີ້ຍັງມີເປົ້າໝາຍໃນການສ້າງຕັ້ງຈຸດປະສານງານທ້ອງຖິ່ນ ຂັ້ນເມືອງ ແລະ ແຂວງ ເພື່ອບໍລິການນຳສົ່ງ ຄົນພິການໄປຫາ ການບໍລິການຊ່ວຍເຫລືອ ທີ່ຈຳເປັນໃນການຟື້ນຟູໜ້າທີ່ການຂອງເຂົາເຈົ້າ.”
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Chayphet Phanthakesone is the deputy head of the Champasak Medical Rehabilitation Centre. After completing a in Masters of Disability Policy and Practice at Flinders University in 2020, this Australia Awards alumni has become a tireless advocate for people living with disability.
“Given my experience in providing services to people with a physical impairment, I wanted to raise awareness of disability inclusion in Salavan Province. My project will improve the lack of understanding of inclusion and disability awareness in many sectors, especially the health, educational, and sport sectors in Salavan Province. As a result, there is limited opportunity for people with disabilities or vulnerable people to get the support they need.
This project aims to increase disability awareness in those key sectors as well as establish a local network or coordinator at the district and provincial levels who can direct people in need of assistance to the resources they require.”
ທ່ານ ແພງ ຊາໂພຄຳ ຈົບຊັ້ນສູງ ສາຂາວິຊາ ກະສິກຳແບບຍືນຍົງ ໃນປີ 2021 ດ້ວຍທຶນການສຶກສາອົດສະຕຣາລີ. ທຶນດັ່ງກ່າວໄດ້ຊ່ວຍໃຫ້ ທ່ານ ໄດ້ສືບຕໍ່ປະກອບອາຊີບເປັນພະນັກງານສົ່ງເສີມກະສິກຳ ຢູ່ ຫ້ອງການກະສິກຳ ແລະ ປ່າໄມ້ ແຂວງຫຼວງພະບາງ.
ໂຄງການ ຂອງ ທ່ານ ແພງ ຈະຊ່ວຍໃຫ້ຊາວກະສິກອນ ທ້ອງຖິ່ນຮັກສາ ແລະ ຂະຫຍາຍແນວພັນ ພອ້ມທັງການໃຫ້ຄວາມຮູ້ໃນຂະບວນການສົ່ງເສີມຄວາມຢືດຢຸ່ນຂອງສະບົບການຜິດລິດ ໃຫ້ແກ່ຊາວກະສິກອນໃນຊຸມຊົນ.
“ເມັດພັນ ແມ່ນຕົວຊີ້ວັດ ຜົນຜະລິດທີ່ສຳຄັນທີ່ສຸດ ໃນວຽກງານປູກຝັງ, ໂດຍສະເພາະ ສຳລັບການຜະລິດກະສິກຳຂະໜາດນ້ອຍ ຂອງຊາວກະສິກອນທອ້ງຖິ່ນອາໃສການປູກຝັງເພື່ອລ້ຽງຊີບ, ແຫຼ່ງຊັບພະຍາກອນຈຳກັດ, ຄວາມສາມາດຮັບມືກັບຄວາມສ່ຽງໜ້ອຍ, ສິ່ງທີ່ສຳຄັນສຳລັບເຂົາເຈົ້າແມ່ນເມັດພັນທີ່ສາມາດໃຫ້ຜົນຜະລິດສູງ ແລະ ທົນທານຕໍ່ການປ່ຽນແປງຂອງດິນຟ້າອາກາດ. ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຫວັງວ່າ ການຮັກສາແນວພັນພືດທ້ອງຖິ່ນ ຈະຊ່ວຍຊາວກະສິກອນຜູ້ທຸກຍາກຢູ່ເມືອງນ້ຳບາກ ແລະ ເມືອງງອຍ, ແຂວງຫຼວງພະບາງ ມີເມັດພັນທີ່ມີຄຸນນະພາບ ເພື່ອສືບຕໍ່ອາຊີບປູກຝັງ ເພື່ອລ້ຽງຊີບໃນໄລຍະຍາວ.”
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Phaeng Xaphokham completed a diploma in Permaculture in 2021 thanks to the #AustraliaAwards scholarships. This has helped him further his career as an Agriculture extension officer at the LuangPrabang Provincial agriculture and forestry Office.
His project will help local farmers to preserve native seeds and demonstrate food resilience systems to small scale farmers.
“In farming communities, seeds are the most significant predictor of productivity, especially for subsistence and small-scale farmers, whose resources are limited and risk taking capacity is low, what matters most are seeds that are yield-dependable, climate-smart and sustainable. Promoting local plant varieties, I hope to help the poor and subsistence farmers Nambak and Ngoy District, Louang Prabang.”
ທ່ານ ພິ້ງສະຫຼຽວ ສີທ່ຽງທຳ ຈົບປະລິນຍາໂທສາຂາວິທະຍາສາດ ການຄຸ້ມຄອງຊັບພະຍາກອນນ້ຳ ທີ່ມະຫາວິທະຍາໄລ Flinders ໃນປີ 2019 ດ້ວຍທຶນການສຶກສາອົດສະຕຣາລີ. ປະຈຸບັນ, ທ່ານ ເຮັດວຽກເປັນເຈົ້າໜ້າທີ່ວາງແຜນເຕັກນິກໃຫ້ກົມຊັບພະຍາກອນນ້ຳ, ກະຊວງຊັບພະຍາກອນ ແລະ ສິ່ງແວດລ້ອມ.
ສຳລັບໂຄງການຂອງທ່ານ ພິ້ງສະຫຼຽວ ແມ່ນຈະໄດ້ນຳໃຊ້ທັກສະ ແລະ ຄວາມຮູ້ຈາກການສຶກສາທີ່ປະເທດອົດສະຕຣາລີ ເພື່ອສະໜອງນ້ຳດື່ມສະອາດ ໃຫ້ໂຮງຮຽນມັດທະຍົມສຶກສາ ຫີນເຫີບ, ແຂວງວຽງຈັນ.
“ປະຊາຊົນ ຢູ່ເມືອງຫີນເຫີບ ສ່ວນຫຼາຍ ແມ່ນອາໄສ ນ້ຳໃຕ້ດິນເພື່ອນໍາມາເປັນນ້ຳດື່ມ ເຊິ່ງ ນໍ້າໃຕ້ດິນໃນຫຼາຍພື້ນທີ່ ອາດຈະປົນເປື້ອນດ້ວຍມົນລະພິດທີ່ເປັນອັນຕະລາຍ. ການປົນເປື້ອນນີ້ເຮັດໃຫ້ເກີດຄວາມສ່ຽງຕໍ່ສຸຂະພາບທີ່ຮ້າຍແຮງ, ໂດຍສະເພາະກັບເດັກນ້ອຍ. ໂຄງການດັ່ງກ່າວຈະຕິດຕັ້ງເຄື່ອງກອງນໍ້າດື່ມດ້ວຍຈັກສູບທິີ່ໃຊ້ພະລັງງານແສງອາທິດ, ຈັດການຝຶກອົບຮົມກ່ຽວກັບການຕິດຕາມກວດກາຄຸນນະພາບນ້ຳ, ແລະ ການປູກຈິດສໍານຶກກ່ຽວກັບການອະນຸລັກນ້ຳ ແລະ ສິ່ງແວດລ້ອມ.”
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Mr Phingsaliao Sithiengtham completed a Master of Science (Water Resources Management) at Flinders University in 2019 with an #AustraliaAwards Scholarships. Today he works as a technical planning officer for the Department of Water Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
For his project, he will use the skills and knowledge from his Australian education to provide clean drinking water to the Hinheup Secondary School.
“The majority of the population at Hinheup relies on groundwater for drinking water. However, the groundwater in many areas may be contaminated with harmful pollutants. This contamination poses a serious health risk, especially to children. The project will install drinking water filters with a solar pump, organise trainings on water quality monitoring, and awareness raising on water and environment conservation.”
ທ່ານ ມະດຳ ຖໍ່ ຮຽນ ຈົບຫຼັກສູດພາສາອັງກິດ ທີ່ວຽງຈັນ ຄໍເລສ ພາຍໃຕ້ ໂຄງການສົ່ງເສີມການພັດທະນາແບບມີສ່ວນຮ່ວມຂອງຄົນພິການ ທີ່ລັດຖະບານອົດສະຕາລີໃຫ້ການສະໜັບສະໜູນ. ປະຈຸບັນ, ທ່ານ ມະດຳ ຖໍ່ ເປັນຫົວໜ້າຝ່າຍ ສັງຄົມສົງເຄາະ ຂອງ ສະມາຄົມພັດທະນາຄົນພິການ ແຂວງຊຽງຂວາງ. ໂຄງການຂອງ ທ່ານ ມະດຳ ຈະສະໜັບສະ ໜູນ ຄອບຄົວທີ່ດ້ອຍໂອກາດໃນທ້ອງຖິ່ນຂອງຕົນ ເພື່ອປັບປຸງລາຍຮັບ ແລະ ຊີວິດການເປັນຢູ່ຄົວເຮືອນ.
“ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຊື່ ມະດຳ ຖໍ່, ເປັນຄົນພິການ, ເຮັດວຽກພັດທະນາຄົນພິການຢູ່ບ້ານ ໂພນງາມໃຕ້, ເມືອງແປກ ແຂວງຊຽງຂວາງ. ໂຄງການຂອງຂ້າພະເຈົ້າແມ່ນ ກ່ຽວກັບ ການສົ່ງເສີມການມີສ່ວນຮ່ວມຂອງສະມາຊິກໃນຄອບຄົວ ໃນການສ້າງຄວາມເຂັ້ມແຂງ ຂອງເສດຖະກິດຄົວເຮືອນ. ໂຄງການ ຝຶກອົບຮົມ ໃຫ້ຫົວໜ້າ ແລະ ສະມາຊິກຄົວເຮືອນ ຮ່ວມກັນວາງແຜນ ຊ່ວຍເຫຼືອ ເຊິ່ງກັນ ແລະ ກັນ ເພື່ອສ້າງເສດຖະກິດຄົວເຮືອນໃຫ້ດີຂື້ນກວ່າເກົ່າ. ໃນຂັ້ນເລີ່ມຕົ້ນ ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຈະຈັດຝຶກອົບຮົມ ໃຫ້ແກ່ຄອບຄົວຄົນພິການ ແລະ ຄອບຄົວທຸກຍາກ.”
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Mardam Thor completed a General English course at Vientiane College with the Australia-funded Disability Inclusive Development English Program. He is now the Head of Social Welfare for the People with Disabilities Development Association in Xiengkhuang Province. His project will support disadvantaged families to improve incomes and livelihoods in his local area.
“My Name is Mr Mardam Thor and I am disabled person, working for People with Disabilities Development in Phongamtai village Pek District Xiengkhouang Province.
My project aims to strengthen the household economy and improve livelihoods by training household members to work together and plan for their future success. First, I will focus on people living with disability and poor families.”
ວັນນະພອນ ສິດທິລາດ ແມ່ນ ທີ່ປຶກສາ ທາງດ້ານສື່ມວນຊົນ ປະຈຳທີ່ນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈັນ, ຜູ້ກຳກັບໜັງ ແລະ ຜູ້ຮ່ວມກໍ່ຕັ້ງ ບໍລິສັດ ລາວນິເວບ ຊິນີມາ. ລາວຕັ້ງໃຈທີ່ຈະໃຫ້ການສະໜັບສະໜູນ ການເຮັດໜັງໃນປະເທດລາວ ແລະ ມີເປົ້າໝາຍ ທີ່ຈະພັດທະນາ ສື່ມວນຊົນທີ່ມີຄວາມຮັບຜິດຊອບຕໍ່ສັງຄົມ ໃນປະເທດຂອງລາວ ແລະ ໃນບັນດາປະເທດອ້ອມຂ້າງ.
ໃນປີ 2008, ວັນນະພອນ ໄດ້ຮັບທຶນການສຶກສາອົດສະຕຣາລີ ເພື່ອສຶກສາຕໍ່ໃນ ສາຂາວິຊາ ວັນລະສານສາດ ແລະ ການສື່ສານມວນຊົນ ທີ່ມະຫາວິທະຍາໄລ ກຣິຟຟິດ @griffithuniversity, ທີ່ ລັດບຣິສເບີນ.
ໂຄງການຂອງ ວັນນະພອນ ມີຊື່ວ່າ ‘sign for the future’. ລາວວາງແຜນທີ່ຈະສ້າງ ວິດີໂອພາສາມືທີ່ເປັນພາສາລາວ ເພື່ອເຜີຍແຜ່ທາງອອນລາຍ ສຳລັບເດັກນ້ອຍທີ່ມີຄວາມພິການດ້ານການໄດ້ຍິນ ໃນປະເທດລາວ. ວິດີໂອເຫຼົ່ານີ້ ຈະລວມມີຫົວຂໍ້ຕ່າງໆ ທີ່ກ່ຽວຂ້ອງກັບການໃຊ້ຊີວິດປະຈຳວັນ ຕັ້ງແຕ່ ຄວາມຮູ້ສຶກ, ໜ້າທີ່ວຽກງານ, ກິລາ, ໂຕໜັງສືລາວ, ໂຕເລກ, ຄອບຄົວ, ສີ ແລະ ສຸຂະພາບ.
ວັນນະພອນຫວັງວ່າ ໂຄງການ ‘sign for the future’ ຂອງລາວ ຈະເປັນການແນະນຳບັນດາເດັກນ້ອຍພິການຫູ ສູ່ ພາສາມືທີ່ເປັນພາສາລາວ ແລະ ເປັນທາງເລືອກໃນການຊ່ວຍເຫຼືອພວກເຂົາ ທາງດ້ານການຮຽນຮູ້ ແລະ ຄວາມເຂົ້າໃຈໂລກອ້ອມຕົວຂອງພວກເຂົາ.
ປະກອບໄປທັງປະສົບການ ແລະ ຄວາມຮູ້ ທາງດ້ານການສ້າງໜັງ ແລະ ການຖ່າຍທຳ, ບັດນີ້ ແມ່ຍິງທີ່ມີຄວາມສາມາດຜູ້ນີ້ ພ້ອມແລ້ວ ທີ່ຈະຜັນປ່ຽນຄວາມຄິດສ້າງສັນ ສູ່ ຄວາມເປັນຈິງ ໂດຍຜ່ານ ທຶນຊ່ວຍເຫຼືອຂະໜາດນ້ອຍ ສຳລັບອະດີດນັກສຶກສາລາວ-ອົດສະຕຣາລີ.
Vannaphone Sitthirath is a Vientiane-based media consultant, film producer and co-founder of the Lao New Wave Cinema Production. She is committed to support filmmaking in Laos and has a driving mission to develop socially responsible media in her country and region.
In 2008, Vannaphone received an #AustraliaAwards scholarship to pursue her Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication at @griffithuniversity, Brisbane.
Vannaphone’s project is called ‘Sign for the Future’. She plans to produce interactive Lao sign language videos available online for deaf children in Lao PDR. These learning videos will cover relevant topics in daily lives ranging from feelings, occupations, sports, Lao alphabet, numbers, family, colors and heath.
Vannaphone hopes that her ‘Sign for the Future’ project will introduce deaf children to Lao sign language and become an alternative approach to support hearing impaired children to learn and understand the world around them.
Equipped with experiences and knowledge in film making and production, now this talented woman is ready to turn her ideas into reality through an #AlumniInnovationGrant.
ຖາວອນ ສຳເລັດການສຶກສາຈາກ ມະຫາວິທະຍາໄລ ຟຼິນເດີ @Flinders University ໃນປີ 2019 ແລະ ໄດ້ເຫັນວ່າ ການລະບາດຂອງພະຍາດ ໂຄວິດ-19 ໄດ້ສົ່ງຜົນກະທົບຕໍ່ບັນດານັກສຶກສາຫຼາຍ ເຊັ່ນຕໍ່ດ້ານການຮຽນ ແລະ ຊີວິດການເປັນຢູ່ຂອງພວກເຂົາ, ໂດຍສະເພາະແມ່ນ ທີ່ມະຫາວິທະຍາໄລ ສຸພານຸວົງ.
“ໂຄງການຂອງຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ແມ່ນກ່ຽວກັບ ການພັດທະນາ ທັກສະໃນການເຮັດວຽກ ເພື່ອກຽມຄວາມພ້ອມຂອງນັກສຶກສາ ສຳລັບການຈ້າງງານ. ການເຝິກອົບຮົມ ຈະພັດທະນານັກສຶກສາ ດ້ານທັກສະທົ່ວໄປ ແລະ ທັກສະການເຮັດວຽກ ທີ່ເປັນປະໂຫຍດ ແລະ ສຳຄັນ ໃນການຈ້າງງານ ໃນສະພາບປັດຈຸບັນ ແລະ ອະນາຄົດ. ໂຄງການນີ້ ຈະເລີ່ມປະຕິບັດ ໃນເດືອນມິຖຸນານີ້ ເຖິງ ເດືອນພະຈິກ 2022, ລວມທັງ ການກະກຽມ, ການຈັດຕັ້ງເຝິກອົບຮົມ ແລະ ການຂຽນບົດລາຍງານຕ່າງໆ”.
ຖາວອນ ມີຄວາມກະຕືລືລົ້ນ ໃນການຊ່ວຍເຫຼືອໄວໜຸ່ມ ໃນການກ້າວໄປສູ່ຂີດຄວາມສາມາດຂອງພວກເຂົາ.
“ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ຢາກບອກກັບບັນດາຄົນໜຸ່ມນ້ອຍວ່າ ຄວາມສຳເລັດ ບໍ່ສາມາດເກີດຂຶ້ນໄດ້ ຖ້າບໍ່ມີການລົງມືເຮັດ. ມັນລ້ວນແລ້ວແຕ່ ຄຸ້ມຄ່າ ໃນການລົງມືເຮັດ, ຢ່າງນ້ອຍ ກໍເຮັດໃຫ້ທ່ານໄດ້ຮຽນຮູ້ບາງຢ່າງ ເພື່ອການພັດທະນາ ແລະ ຕໍ່ຍອດໃຫ້ດີຂຶ້ນ”.
Thavone graduated from @Flinders University in 2019 and has seen how the COVID-19 outbreak has affected students’ studies and lives, especially at Souphanouvong University
‘My project is about Developing Employability Skills to Prepare Students for Employment. A major aim is to help students be well prepared for employment. The workshop will develop students with soft skills and employability skills that are essential and important for current and future employment. The project will be conducted during June to November 2022 including preparation, conducting workshops and writing reports.’
Thavone is passionate about helping young people to reach their potential
“I would like to tell young generation that success doesn’t happen without attempting. It is worth attempting, at least you will learn something to improve and move forward.”
ສັງຄີ ຈະເລີນຂັນ ໄດ້ສຶກສາທາງດ້ານ ການພັດທະນາຊຸມຊົນ ຢູ່ທີ່ ມະຫາວິທະຍາໄລ ວິກຕໍເລຍ @victoria.university ທີ່ ເມວເບິນ, ປະເທດອົດສະຕຣາລີ ແລະ ມື້ນີ້ ລາວໄດ້ເຮັດໜ້າທີ່ ເປັນຜູ້ປະສານງານ ດ້ານການປົກປອ້ງສັງຄົມ.
ລາວມີຄວາມຕ້ອງການທີ່ຈະຊ່ວຍເຫຼືອ ໂຮງຮຽນສຳລັບການສຶກສາພິເສດ ທີ່ຢູ່ຊຸມຊົນຂອງລາວ ແລະ ຈະນຳເອົາທຶນຊ່ວຍເຫຼືອທີ່ໄດ້ຮັບນີ້ ໄປຊ່ວຍເສີມສ້າງທັກສະ ດ້ານກະສິກຳ ໃຫ້ແກ່ບັນດາຄູອາຈານ, ພະນັກງານ ແລະ ນັກສຶກສາ. ໂຄງການນີ້ ຈະມີການສິດສອນທັກສະ ແລະ ຄວາມຮູ້ ໃນການປູກພືດຜັກ ແບບທຳມະຊາດ, ໂດຍໃຊ້ຝຸ່ນບົ່ມ ທີ່ສາມາດຜະລິດໄດ້ດ້ວຍຕົນເອງ ຈາກສ່ວນປະສົມຕ່າງໆ ທີ່ຫາໄດ້ຕາມຊຸມຊົນ. ໂຄງການນີ້ ຍັງປະກອບດ້ວຍກິດຈະກຳຕ່າງໆ ລວມມີ ການລ້ຽງສັດປີກ, ລ້ຽງປາ ແລະ ການລ້ຽງຂີ້ກະເດືອນ. ກິດຈະກຳເຫຼົ່ານີ້ ຈະຊ່ວຍບັນດາຄູອາຈານ ແລະ ພະນັກງານ ສາມາດລ້ຽງຊີບຕົນເອງ ໃນດ້ານອາຫານ ແລະ ຜົນລະປູກຕ່າງໆ. ຜົນທີ່ຈະໄດ້ຮັບກໍຄື ບັນດານັກສຶກສາ ຈະໄດ້ຮັບອາຫານທີ່ຖືກຫຼັກໂພສະນາການ ແລະ ໂຮງຮຽນກໍຈະສາມາດປະຢັດລາຍຈ່າຍ ທາງດ້ານອາຫານ.
Sungkey Chalernkhun studied Community Development @victoria.university in Melbourne Australia and today works as a Social protection Coordinator.
He’s keen to support his local Special Education school and will use his grant to enhance agricultural skills for teachers, staff and students. The project will provide skills and knowledge on how to plant vegetables organically, using composts that they can make their own from locally available materials. The project will include a variety of activities including poultry raising, fish raising, and worm farming. These activities will help teachers and staff to sustain themselves in terms of food and agricultural production. The result will be that students will have nutritious meals, and the school will save money on their food costs.
ວັນນະພອນ ສຳເລັດການສຶກສາຈາກ ມະຫາວິທະຍາໄລ @University of South Australia ໃນປີ 2020 ແລະ ປັດຈຸບັນ ມີໜ້າທີ່ເປັນ ນັກວິສະວະກອນ ດ້ານຊັບພະຍາກອນນ້ຳ.
“ໂຄງການຂອງຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ແມ່ນກ່ຽວກັບ ການເຮັດກະສິກຳ ແບບທັນສະໄໝ ຢູ່ໃນຊຸມຊົນ. ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ກຳລັງວາງແຜນທີ່ຈະ ຊ່ວຍເຫຼືອບັນດາຊາວສວນ ທີ່ບ້ານ ນາໂພ-ໃຕ້, ເມືອງໂພນໂຮງ, ແຂວງວຽງຈັນ ເພື່ອຊ່ວຍໃນການນຳໃຊ້ເຕັກນິກທີ່ທັນສະໄໝ ປະສົມປະສານກັບ ຄວາມຮູ້ພື້ນບ້ານ ເຊັ່ນ ການໝູນໃຊ້ສິ່ງເສດເຫຼືອຊີວະພາບ, ລະບົບນ້ຳທີ່ທັນສະໄໝ, ລະບົບເຮືອນຮົ່ມ ແລະ ເຕັກນິກການປູກຝັງ ສຳລັບເຫັດ. ປະເພດຂອງສິ່ງປູກຝັງ ຫຼັກໆກໍຄື ເຫັດ ເຊິ່ງເປັນປະເພດຂອງທຸລະກິດການປູກຝັງ ທີ່ມີຄວາມເປັນໄປໄດ້ ໃນການນຳລາຍໄດ້ມາສູ່ຊາວກະສິກອນ”.
Vannaphone graduated from the @University of South Australia in 2020 and currently works as a water resource engineer.
“My project is about community based smart farming. I am planning to support the farmers at Napho tai village, Phonhong district, Viengchan Province to promote smart farming techniques integrated with the local knowledge such as the utilization of organic matter, smart water system, greenhouse and the plantation technique of potential crop such as Mushroom. The main crop to grow is mushroom which is a potential business crop to generate incomes for the farmers.”
ອາລິຍະກອນ ໄຊຍະສານ ແມ່ນ ພະນັກງານວິຊາການ ສັງກັດທີ່ ການໄຟຟ້າລາວ. ລາວຈົບລະດັບປະລິນຍາໂທ ຊ່ຽວຊານດ້ານພະລັງງານ ທີ່ໝູນໃຊ້ໃໝ່ໄດ້ ແລະ ມີຄວາມຍືນຍົງ ຈາກມະຫາວິທະຍາໄລ @MurdochUniversity ໃນປີ 2001.
ໂຄງການຂອງລາວ ແນ່ໃສ່ການສະໜອງພະລັງງານແສງອາທິດ ໃນເຂດທຸລະກັນດານ ທີ່ມີໄຟຟ້າໃຊ້ບໍ່ທັນກວ້າງຂວາງ. ສິ່ງນີ້ຈະຊ່ວຍໃຫ້ ຊາວບ້ານ ສາມາດເຂົ້າເຖິງໄຟຟ້າ ໄດ້ງ່າຍຂຶ້ນກວ່າເກົ່າ ດ້ວຍລະບົບແສງອາທິດ. ໂຄງການ ຈະໃຊ້ເວລາໄລຍະ 3 ເດືອນ ໂດຍຜ່ານຂະບວນການປະຕິບັດຕິດຕັ້ງ, ເລີ່ມຕັ່ງແຕ່ ເດືອນມິຖຸນາ ເຖິງ ປະມານກາງເດືອນ ກັນຍາ ປີ 2022.
“ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ຮູ້ສຶກຕື່ນເຕັ້ນຫຼາຍ ແລະ ດີໃຈ ທີ່ໄດ້ຮັບທຶນຊ່ວຍເຫຼືອນີ້ ເພາະວ່າຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ຈະໄດ້ເປັນສ່ວນໜຶ່ງຂອງອະດີດນັກສຶກສາອົດສະຕຣາລີ ທີ່ໄດ້ປະກອບສ່ວນໃນການຊ່ວຍເຫຼືອ ແລະ ຊຸກຍູ້ ປະຊາຊົນລາວໃນເຂດຫ່າງໄກຊອກຫຼີກ ເພື່ອທີ່ຈະມີພື້ນຖານຊີວິດການເປັນຢູ່ທີ່ດີຂຶ້ນ. ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ຂໍສະແດງຄວາມຂອບໃຈມາຍັງ ລັດຖະບານລາວ-ອົດສະຕຣາລີ, ສະຖາບັນລາວ-ອົດສະຕຣາລີ, ການໄຟຟ້າລາວ ແລະ ຄອບຄົວຂອງຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ທີ່ໄດ້ໃຫ່ການສະໜັບສະໜູນ ໃນການເປັນສ່ວນໜຶ່ງຂອງໂຄງການນີ້”.
Alignakone Saignasan is a technical officer at Electricite Du Laos (EDL). He graduated with a Master’s Degree in Renewable and Sustainable Energy from @MurdochUniversity in 2001.
His project aims to supply solar power to remote locations where electricity is not widely available. It will help local people to access electricity much easier than before with a solar off-grid system. The project will take around three months through the process of implementation, starting from June to around mid-September 2022.
“I am so excited and glad to be selected for this grant because I will be able to be part of the #AustraliaAwards alumni to help and support the Lao people in the rural areas to have a better standard of living. I am very thankful to the Australian Government, LAI, EDL, and my family for supporting me to be part of the project.”
Viengnakone graduated from Western Sydney University in 2019 and is passionate about supporting people living with disabilities.
Stay Healthy Stay Stability project will support the Xon Phao Disabled Group in Vientiane by improving hygiene in restrooms and bedrooms to prevent COVID-19, as well as starting a vegetable garden to create income and nutritious food.
ຖາວອນ ສຳເລັດການສຶກສາຈາກ ມະຫາວິທະຍາໄລ ຟຼິນເດີ @Flinders University ໃນປີ 2019 ແລະ ໄດ້ເຫັນວ່າ ການລະບາດຂອງພະຍາດ ໂຄວິດ-19 ໄດ້ສົ່ງຜົນກະທົບຕໍ່ບັນດານັກສຶກສາຫຼາຍ ເຊັ່ນຕໍ່ດ້ານການຮຽນ ແລະ ຊີວິດການເປັນຢູ່ຂອງພວກເຂົາ, ໂດຍສະເພາະແມ່ນ ທີ່ມະຫາວິທະຍາໄລ ສຸພານຸວົງ.
“ໂຄງການຂອງຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ແມ່ນກ່ຽວກັບ ການພັດທະນາ ທັກສະໃນການເຮັດວຽກ ເພື່ອກຽມຄວາມພ້ອມຂອງນັກສຶກສາ ສຳລັບການຈ້າງງານ. ການເຝິກອົບຮົມ ຈະພັດທະນານັກສຶກສາ ດ້ານທັກສະທົ່ວໄປ ແລະ ທັກສະການເຮັດວຽກ ທີ່ເປັນປະໂຫຍດ ແລະ ສຳຄັນ ໃນການຈ້າງງານ ໃນສະພາບປັດຈຸບັນ ແລະ ອະນາຄົດ. ໂຄງການນີ້ ຈະເລີ່ມປະຕິບັດ ໃນເດືອນມິຖຸນານີ້ ເຖິງ ເດືອນພະຈິກ 2022, ລວມທັງ ການກະກຽມ, ການຈັດຕັ້ງເຝິກອົບຮົມ ແລະ ການຂຽນບົດລາຍງານຕ່າງໆ”.
ຖາວອນ ມີຄວາມກະຕືລືລົ້ນ ໃນການຊ່ວຍເຫຼືອໄວໜຸ່ມ ໃນການກ້າວໄປສູ່ຂີດຄວາມສາມາດຂອງພວກເຂົາ.
“ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ຢາກບອກກັບບັນດາຄົນໜຸ່ມນ້ອຍວ່າ ຄວາມສຳເລັດ ບໍ່ສາມາດເກີດຂຶ້ນໄດ້ ຖ້າບໍ່ມີການລົງມືເຮັດ. ມັນລ້ວນແລ້ວແຕ່ ຄຸ້ມຄ່າ ໃນການລົງມືເຮັດ, ຢ່າງນ້ອຍ ກໍເຮັດໃຫ້ທ່ານໄດ້ຮຽນຮູ້ບາງຢ່າງ ເພື່ອການພັດທະນາ ແລະ ຕໍ່ຍອດໃຫ້ດີຂຶ້ນ”.
Thavone graduated from @Flinders University in 2019 and has seen how the COVID-19 outbreak has affected students’ studies and lives, especially at Souphanouvong University
‘My project is about Developing Employability Skills to Prepare Students for Employment. A major aim is to help students be well prepared for employment. The workshop will develop students with soft skills and employability skills that are essential and important for current and future employment. The project will be conducted during June to November 2022 including preparation, conducting workshops and writing reports.’
Thavone is passionate about helping young people to reach their potential
“I would like to tell young generation that success doesn’t happen without attempting. It is worth attempting, at least you will learn something to improve and move forward.”
A Dream Catcher for Youth Development Project
Anousone graduated from Monash University in 2020 and is currently working with World Vision Laos. This project will support youth who have been impacted by COVID-19 and whose education has been disrupted.
The Dream Catcher for Youth Development project will encourage students to dream big, identify their life goals, strengthen their employment skills and be ready to enter the workforce in Laos
ວັນນະພອນ ສຳເລັດການສຶກສາຈາກ ມະຫາວິທະຍາໄລ @University of South Australia ໃນປີ 2020 ແລະ ປັດຈຸບັນ ມີໜ້າທີ່ເປັນ ນັກວິສະວະກອນ ດ້ານຊັບພະຍາກອນນ້ຳ.
“ໂຄງການຂອງຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ແມ່ນກ່ຽວກັບ ການເຮັດກະສິກຳ ແບບທັນສະໄໝ ຢູ່ໃນຊຸມຊົນ. ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ກຳລັງວາງແຜນທີ່ຈະ ຊ່ວຍເຫຼືອບັນດາຊາວສວນ ທີ່ບ້ານ ນາໂພ-ໃຕ້, ເມືອງໂພນໂຮງ, ແຂວງວຽງຈັນ ເພື່ອຊ່ວຍໃນການນຳໃຊ້ເຕັກນິກທີ່ທັນສະໄໝ ປະສົມປະສານກັບ ຄວາມຮູ້ພື້ນບ້ານ ເຊັ່ນ ການໝູນໃຊ້ສິ່ງເສດເຫຼືອຊີວະພາບ, ລະບົບນ້ຳທີ່ທັນສະໄໝ, ລະບົບເຮືອນຮົ່ມ ແລະ ເຕັກນິກການປູກຝັງ ສຳລັບເຫັດ. ປະເພດຂອງສິ່ງປູກຝັງ ຫຼັກໆກໍຄື ເຫັດ ເຊິ່ງເປັນປະເພດຂອງທຸລະກິດການປູກຝັງ ທີ່ມີຄວາມເປັນໄປໄດ້ ໃນການນຳລາຍໄດ້ມາສູ່ຊາວກະສິກອນ”.
Vannaphone graduated from the @University of South Australia in 2020 and currently works as a water resource engineer.
“My project is about community based smart farming. I am planning to support the farmers at Napho tai village, Phonhong district, Viengchan Province to promote smart farming techniques integrated with the local knowledge such as the utilization of organic matter, smart water system, greenhouse and the plantation technique of potential crop such as Mushroom. The main crop to grow is mushroom which is a potential business crop to generate incomes for the farmers.”
Vongsone completed her studies at Flinders University in 2015 and currently works in the education sector.
Technology Capacity Building for Teachers in Adapting to COVID-19 will strengthen and build the digital capacity for 12 teachers from three big schools in Samneua town to use online platforms effectively while students learn from home.
These teachers will then become trainers to transfer their knowledge to their 110 colleagues in adopting technology for new learning and teaching circumstances. As a result, teachers will be more confident and skillful in using and adopting online platforms in classroom learning and teaching.
Household food security for COVID-19 pandemic responding
Chanthaly Syfongxay, a proud recipient of the Australian Alumni Innovation Grant, works to support a pilot project which promotes collective organic farming in Khai village in Xieng Khouang. Ambassador Paul was inspired by her project and by how she is using her knowledge and skills in horticulture, project management and research which she gained during her time in Australia to improve the livelihoods of her local community.
Chanthaly’s project has now trained 62 women from three villages in Paek district on how to better manage their household gardens for COVID-19 economic recovery. These women have then shared this knowledge on food security, garden management, and strategies to prepare for changes to the COVID-19 situation to their local communities. This project has helped women in Xieng Khouang province not only to make more nutritious food but also to generate extra income for their families.
This alumni story was originally posted on Australia in Laos
Skills development and job creation for vulnerable people, including people living with disability to reduce impacts from COVID-19
Since completing an Advanced Diploma of Tourism Management at Victoria University in 2005, Souksan Thavikham has applied her knowledge to support sustainable development in Lao PDR. She now works as an Assistant Program Manager at the National Governance and Public Administration Reform Programme, Ministry of Home Affairs.
Souksan is one of five recipients awarded a 2021 Alumni Innovation Grant in February. The grant funding provides support for Laos Australia Alumni to implement projects which help Lao communities recover from and respond to the impacts of COVID-19.
Souksan’s grant proposal included partnering with the Saysetha District for Disabled People Association (SDDPA) and the Saysetha Labour and Social Welfare Office. Collaboratively, the organisations trained 25 women, men and people living with a disability with income-generating skills.
The first skill taught was handmaking doormats and bags using old clothes and waste materials. The second training involved tailoring and barbering workshops. Following the training, participants are provided with tools such as sewing machines and barber’s scissors to enable them to continue to hone their craft whilst generating income from home.
“Trainees were very happy and surprised when the project gave them a sewing machine after the training. A young mother, who just lost her job because she had given birth, is now working on making clothes at her home. She has also received sewing jobs from a factory to work from home. Thus, she can generate income while being able to take care of her baby and family at home. I would like to sincerely thank the Australian Government for providing me with this opportunity to implement this project so I can help others,” Souksan shares.
Due to the second wave of COVID-19 in Laos the barber training, scheduled for April, is delayed until the situation improves and groups can gather safely. Once it is safe to do so, Souksan and her team look forward to training several young men in this skill.
“Youth unemployment can lead to many social problems. If they are equipped with a vocational skill, a barbering skill, for instance, they will be able to make an income and have their own barbershop.” Souksan says.
This is the second time Souksan has received an Alumni Innovation Grant. In 2020, Souksan submitted a successful application which supported more than 30 trainees, including ten people with a disability living in Saysettha District, to generate alternative income during the first wave of COVID-19 in Laos. This was achieved through teachings in small scale farming of mushrooms, fish, frogs, and chickens.
Souksan continues to innovate sustainable solutions to some of Lao economic challenges particularly as they relate to the most vulnerable sectors of society. The Australian Government is proud to support such a dedicated Laos Australia Alumnae.
This alumni story was originally posted on the Australian Embassy to Lao PDR website.
Youth’s capacity building for effectively adapting to COVID-19
Australia Awards alumna Phetdavanh Sipaseuth completed a Master of Environmental Management at Flinders University in Australia in 2016 through an Australia Awards Scholarship and has since worked to apply her newfound knowledge towards sustainable development in Laos.
Phetdavanh is one of five Laos Australia alumni to recently be awarded a small grant through the Alumni Innovation Grants (AIG) scheme. With the grant, Phetdavanh has developed and implemented a youth capacity building project for effectively adapting to COVID-19.
Her project provides training for students at Champasak University in facilitation, planning, problem-solving and social media applications. After completing the training, the students are keen to share their new skills with their peers on campus, helping to amplify the positive impact of the project.
The Australian Government is proud to support Phetdavanh’s excellent initiative in helping the Lao youth build their resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Watch this video to find out more about Phetdavanh’s project here.
This alumni story was originally posted on Australia in Laos
Utilising Fairtrade fund as economic recovery from COVID-19
Oulavanh Keovilignavong, a recipient of the Australia Alumni Innovation Grant, works to support tea farmers in Phongsaly province. Through his innovation he’s aimed to build capacity and knowledge amongst tea farmers on organic tea farming techniques as well as enhancing their access to the Fairtrade Fund. With Fairtrade, small-scale tea farmers can earn a more stable income from their crops and improve their communities. In addition, Oulavanh researched barriers to accessing this fund – look out for his findings which will be published later this year.
We are proud of Oulavanh’s excellent initiative in supporting community development in Phongsaly province!
This alumni story was original posted on Australia in Laos
Australian trained Banthida Komphasouk is a Development Coordination Officer at the United Nations in Lao PDR. She received an Australia Awards Scholarship to do her Bachelor of Social Science majoring in Development and Health, and awarded First Class Honours in 2010 from the University of Queensland.
For more than six years, she has been working on health and community development.
Banthida was rewarded an Alumni Innovation Grant in June 2020 for her innovative project that aimed to support the Lao community and school in response to the COVID-19 and prevention measures.
In partnership with Soap4Life, Banthida’s initiative successfully raised Covid 19 awareness and prevention knowledge especially on correct handwashing steps to 32 teachers and 397 students in 4 selected primary schools in Phoukhod district, Xiengkhuang province through the provision of Covid-19 in schools manual for teachers, distribution of Covid 19 and handwashing posters as well as proper handwashing demonstrations for teachers and students.
To further support an enabling environment for Covid 19 prevention in schools, handwashing stations, soap and reusable facemasks were provided through the project.
“Promoting basic hygiene measures and providing an enabling environment in schools is one of the most effective ways for improved children’s health as well as for protecting them and their community from the COVID-19 infection and other diseases,” Banthida said.
Phouxay Douangphilavanh participated in the Disability Inclusive Development (DID) English Language Program, supported by the Australian Government via the Laos Australia Institute and Vientiane College from January 2019 to June 2020. This Program was specially designed for people with disability and those working in the disability sector. Participants were trained on report writing, preparing submissions, financial reporting and verbal communication with international counterparts.
Proudly Australian trained Phouxay put these skills and knowledge gained into practice by applying for an Alumni Innovation Grant. His innovation is targeted at bringing positive change to students and the community in Chanthabouly District, Vientiane Capital.
In collaboration with the nine Village Development Group, Phouxay’s innovative project included training on COVID-19 and Dengue Fever awareness and prevention methods for teachers and students in four schools, including Phonesavang, Phontong Chommany, Dondeng, and Hongkaikeo schools in Chanthabouly District, Vientiane Capital from 24 June to 27 July 2020.
“This was the first time I prepared a proposal for a small grant from the Australian Government to improve knowledge and practice on COVID-19 and Dengue Fever awareness.Though it was a small project, it could widely benefit the whole community. Students and teachers who attended the training received brochures, and I’m sure they will spread the key messages to their parents and families.”, Phouxay said.
Alumna Souksan Thavikham wants to promote income generation opportunities for people with disabilities living in Xiengda Village, Saysettha, Vientiane Capital.
Souksan completed an Advanced Diploma of Tourism Management at Victoria University in 2005 through an Australia Awards Scholarship and has since worked to apply her newfound knowledge towards sustainable development in Lao PDR.
Souksan received an Alumni Innovation Grant to fund her project which supports people living with a disability during and after COVID-19. Her innovation provided training videos and materials for small scale farming of mushrooms, fish, frogs and chickens to enable communities to generate alternative income during the crisis. There were 30 trainees including ten people with a disability and two trainers from the Saysettha District Disabled People Association.
“Supporting the vulnerable community, such as people with disability, to reach economic self-reliance as small-scale farmers through income generation will improve their living throughout the COVID-19”, said Souksan.
“The enthusiasm expressed by the faces of these trainees show their feeling of gratitude as full and active members of society, both socially and economically, acquired during the training. They can be integrated into society and capable of taking care of themselves and their families. Thanks to the Australian Government for providing the small grants to improve our community’s lives.” Souksan said.
Watch a video here.
Phanla secondary school in Houaphan province is the beneficiary of an Alumni Innovation Grant after one of their teachers submitted a proposal for the Australian Government’s scheme. Vongsone Heuangphida, a Laos Australia Alumna, realised that for messaging about COVID-19 to be useful for teens, it needs to be created by teens. Therefore, she is working with students to create videos and posters, that aim to educate other teens on the importance of good hygiene to minimise the spread of COVID-19.
Vongsone had taught English from 2004 to 2011 at Phanla secondary school. In 2014, she pursued to upgrade her English teaching skills and knowledge at Flinders University, Australia. In 2016, she returned home with a Master of Education (Leadership and Management). She was promoted to be the head of statistics and ICT unit. Outside of her normal work schedule she has been managing an evening English teaching program for primary and secondary students at the same school.
Since 2019, active alumna Vongsone has been participating in the Women in Leadership Program also funded by the Australian Government. The Program is designed for 20 Laos Australia women alumni across many different organisations and roles, to create supportive networks, career planning and development, as well as to build skills, knowledge and confidence in leadership with a focus on gender equity and the challenges facing women.
“Students love these project activities so much. By providing them with the right messages about COVID-19 health prevention, each group went on further to discuss the concept of their drawings and videos which they hoped would communicate the right behaviours to other students in their school.” Vongsone said.