Our adventure in Laos started out in Savannakhet where we picked up the students that will get the scholarship and one of the leading officials at the Provincial School Office. Having dealt with all the right beurocrats, we could drive towards Sepon (Xepon on the map) in order to visit the families and villages to all the students included in the scholarship program. The first afternoon we went to the first village, where two students lived. This village was easily accessable, just next to the main road.
The Contract
All the students in the scholarship programs come from poor villages and cannot in any way finance their own education. The tution fee for attending the Teachers Training College is 740 000 Kip per term (appr. 74 US$), a large amount of money for families that go through their daily life mostly without dealing with money. In addition to the fee, SSPL will cover student uniforms, notebooks, etc, and the cost of food (300 000 Kip per month).
When visiting the families, we were very well received. Marit and the representatives from the Provincial School Office explained everything in detail for the families and answered the questions they would have. When everything was clear, both the student and one of the parent signed the Scolarship Contract.
Signing the scolarship contract
Illiteracy is high in Laos. Finger stamp is also valid
Food and Drinks
After the formal part of the meeting was done, the familiies served us food and drinks. Ususually we were served Lao Lao (strong liquere made of rice), sometimes Beer Lao, and water or tea. It is custom that everyone drink Lao Lao from the same glass. Luckily, the Lao Lao is very strong (between 40% and 60% alcohol), so I guess most of the bacterias are killed.
The Contract
All the students in the scholarship programs come from poor villages and cannot in any way finance their own education. The tution fee for attending the Teachers Training College is 740 000 Kip per term (appr. 74 US$), a large amount of money for families that go through their daily life mostly without dealing with money. In addition to the fee, SSPL will cover student uniforms, notebooks, etc, and the cost of food (300 000 Kip per month).
When visiting the families, we were very well received. Marit and the representatives from the Provincial School Office explained everything in detail for the families and answered the questions they would have. When everything was clear, both the student and one of the parent signed the Scolarship Contract.
Signing the scolarship contractIlliteracy is high in Laos. Finger stamp is also validFood and Drinks
After the formal part of the meeting was done, the familiies served us food and drinks. Ususually we were served Lao Lao (strong liquere made of rice), sometimes Beer Lao, and water or tea. It is custom that everyone drink Lao Lao from the same glass. Luckily, the Lao Lao is very strong (between 40% and 60% alcohol), so I guess most of the bacterias are killed.
We we offered a wide range of food from the 12 families we visited. Bamboo shot, BBQ chicken, goat - every part of it, like the skin, the liver, the foot..., pork, frogs (small ones, between 1-4 cm), fish and dog (hmmm). And always a lot of sticky rice.
Delicious frog soup
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