"REFRESH" Small Business and Marketing Training

Sengsavang provides vocational training for young women who have been, or are at risk of, sexual abuse and trafficking.

After graduating from the centre, women are reintegrated into towns and villages where they start their own businesses. In July 2021, Sengsavang conducted the first "Refresh" training, inviting 30 young entrepreneurs back to develop their marketing and business skills and provide them with a network to support their small businesses.

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will deliver training to support 40 women of different ethnic groups – who work in remote areas – to increase their business skills. Following the training, the participants will be able to write a business plan, develop a budget, purchase materials, develop marketing skills and make a Facebook business page.

Empowering Soft Skills and Developing Employability Skills for University Students to Promote Greater Gender Equality and Ethnic Inclusion  

A large number of students who are from disadvantaged rural and remote areas in northern Laos – especially women and ethnic minorities – are struggle with university life because they lack life skills such as time management and interpersonal communication skills.  

This project will build the skills of about 30 first- and second-year students at the Faculty of Education, who are from disadvantaged rural and remote areas, especially women and ethnic minorities.   

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will: 

• prepare translate and print workshop resources 
• conduct a five-day workshop to build the skills of 30 first- and second- year students, as well as 10 lecturers who will support them 
• deliver post-workshop activities, including a second questionnaire and a research article \offer an excursion to organisations in Luang Prabang, including Luang Prabang Library, Luang Prabang IT Centre and the Royal Palace (museum) to help students explore useful places that provide extracurricular experiences.  

Improving the Sexual and Reproductive Health of Young People in Laos Through Digital Media 

The Vientiane Women and Youth Center for Health and Development (VWYC) provides sexual and reproductive health services to people aged 10-24 years throughout Laos.  

Laos has a young population, with about 58 per centof the total population under 25 years of age. It has the highest adolescent birth rate in the Southeast Asia region, and the maternal mortality rate is among the highest in the region. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are high among young people and there is a strong unmet need for family planning.  

COVID-19 has severely impacted VWYC’s capacity to deliver services. VWYC does not have a website and has relied on a Facebook page to promote its services and provide information and advice.  This project will develop a website to allow VWYC to share information and advice.  

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will: 

• purchase two laptops, two hard drives, two USB cables and supporting IT equipment and software
• design and build a website and create and upload content
• train staff in how to use software, photo/video editing and creating digital content. 

Inclusion role model training at the Souphanouvang University Faculty of Education

The Souphanouvang University Faculty of Education project provides training that empowers student teachers to be inclusive education role models in remote northern regions of Laos. With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Investment Fund, participants will understand the needs of children with a disability and provide successful learning opportunities for all students.

In Laos, children with a disability often do not achieve their academic potential because schools are not adequately prepared to support their needs and goals. Teachers, who are respected as leaders in rural communities, may lack the experience and skills needed. With the right support, children with a disability can learn and grow to become successful adults.

This project will support 50 student teachers to attend education workshop and connect them with a professional learning network. Teachers will become effective ambassadors who can promote, support and implement changes in their own schools and communities. This will improve the capacity for rural schools to deliver quality inclusive education. Partner organisations involved in inclusive and special education will participate in the development of training workshops.

This project will deliver intensive training on:

• inclusive education for children with a disability
• understanding different types of disability
• learning welcoming attitudes that include children with a disability
• designing teaching strategies for inclusive education
• creating teaching resources using low-cost materials, hands-on activities, pictures and online resources
• building collaboration including working with parents, co-teachers, community members and professional networking.

‍Participants will also receive hands-on training at the Luang Prabang Special School to learn about working directly with children with hearing needs. ‍

This project will increase student teachers’ knowledge, understanding and skills in inclusive education, adapting curriculum for diverse learners and building communities that support children living with a disability. It will create the basis for a continuing professional network of educators and community members committed to inclusive education.