Posted by Allen Burt
the more things you will know.
The more that you learn,
the more places you’ll go.
~ Dr. Seuss ~
Again, thank you to all that participated in the LFL.org fund raising campaign. Although donations continue to trickle in, we have currently raised over $1,600 – enough to fund reading programs (book parties) and book purchases for at least 6 rural villages benefiting over 500 impoverished students! We are leaving the “donate” button active for the remainder of the week. Please continue to pass the word along to others so we can provide more literacy opportunities, like the one below, to the children of Laos.
Below is the overview of the FIRST LFL.org funded reading program at the village of Pik Nyai, Laos.
Pik Nyai Book Party
The village of Pik Nyai (Google Earth: N019°54′19″ E102°13′40″) is relatively close to the city of Luang Prabang, if your looking at a map. However, after 3 hours of being tossed around the back seat of a tightly squeezed van piled to the ceiling with books, teaching supplies, and snacks, I was releived to be on the “short” trip. When I arrived early in the morning at the Big Brother Mouse office, two vans were being loaded with book party supplies. One of which, was headed to a local village just outside of town, and the other off on a week long tour through the uppermost reaches of Laos visiting 5+ villages and schools. I was on the “outside of town” trip to the village of Pik Nyai to document the FRIST reading program (book party) funding by the LibraryForLaos.org campaign.
Pik Nyai is nestled into the back hills of northern Laos and accessible only by a single dirt tracked road. The village school is dilapidated and basic. Three classrooms, separated by 5ft bamboo walls, teach approximately 80-90 students between first and fourth grade. Supplies are limited and amount to a couple of old chalk boards, torn and faded (and usually shared) textbooks, and wooden benches and desks. Many students have to sit on the floor.
As we pulled up to the school, it became apparent today was a special day for these kids. Teachers began running around directing students out of the classrooms and onto the lawn with military precision. I have never seen a better behaved group of children. Completely silent and standing at attention with all eyes fixated on us. They knew what was going on. They had heard the news for some time now. Big Brother Mouse was coming.
After a brief introduction by one of the school’s teachers, students were directed back into their classrooms and instructed to follow the directions of the BBM team. The Big Brother Mouse team is more than a book delivery group. These folks are trained teachers who thrive in a classroom setting. Since most of the children BBM visit have never seen a children’s book before, the book parties are designed to teach children how reading can be fun. Books don’t always come in the form of school textbooks, they can be funny, scary, or sad – an understanding we take for granted in the western developed world, but comes completely new to these children. Songs are sung, games are played, and stories are read aloud.
After a long morning of instruction, the children are dismissed for a snack and play time in the field before hustling back into the classrooms for the big moment, book distribution. Each student is given the opportunity to pick their own first story book. All the book selections are laid out on a table and students take turns sorting through the stacks and picking their very own. For all of these children, this is their VERY FIRST story book and a very exciting moment for all. After the book selection, each of the teachers is presented with a “mini-library” of books so that children can exchange their old books for new ones once they are finished.
I have never seen so many smiling faces or expressions of gratitude. Students clung to their books with vice like grips, running around in circles, and reading aloud to friends. Even more impressive was the level of gratitude shown by the teachers. Each constantly thanking the BBM team for their time and inviting all of us to join them for a meal after school.
While an absolutely eye opening experience for myself, it was just another day on the job for the BBM team. They are gifted at what they do, and I am delighted that we will be funding an additional 5 reading programs through their organization!
Hanging with the BBM Team
For more pictures of the Pik Nyai book party, see our Picasa Album. Also, we are currently editing the video footage and it should be ready in the next couple weeks, so stay tuned!
Thank you again for supporting LibraryForLaos.org, Big Brother Mouse, and the children of Laos!
Allen is at Big Brother Mouse
