Thursday, January 24, 2013

Monthly Achievement Report January 2013


A new Mini Library at Wat Pasa Viet

Do you remember when you discovered the joy of reading?

The power of a book to open doors to another world?

A proud achievement of GVI Laos for December 2012 was the installation of a small library in one of our classrooms at Wat Pasa Viet.  A plan made between Satu Porgi, the late and respected Abbot of Wat Pasa Viet and the Manager of Laos GVI to establish a library at the temple has been fulfilled on a small scale at this stage. Whilst starting off small with one cane bookshelf stocked with reference, non-fiction and fiction books kindly donated by GVI volunteers, this small beginning sets the scene of things to come. Novice Jailee, a conscientious student and Novice holds the position of Head Librarian with Novice Jasmin being the assistant librarian.

Most students in Laos learn to read from a teacher with a blackboard. The school may have some shared textbooks, but many children have never seen a book. Certainly they've never owned one, and they've never had a chance to discover the fun and power of reading. Wat Pasa Viet Novices are now the custodians of over 80 books. GVI Laos is proud of this achievement that increases the capacity for success in expanding the future opportunities of our students.
·         An article by Daniel Gaynor at http://www.policymic.com/articles/23873/illiteracy-costs-the-global-economy-1-trillion  states:

 Children cannot learn through Google, Wikipedia or local news outlets if they cannot read. Primary school students cannot become doctors, scientists or entrepreneurs without advanced reading and writing skills. The future of the internet, and our ability to leverage it for innovation, are critical economic concerns. But if you can't read, you can't use the internet.
According to the CIA World Fact Book the literacy rate in Laos of over 15 year olds who can read and write in their mother tongue is 73%.  A reasonable assumption to be made is that the literacy rate for reading and writing English is considerably lower. Low levels of English literacy, and education in general, can impede the economic development of a country in the current rapidly changing, technology-driven world. Fluent literacy skills in English is critical.



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