About Us

World Education Laos is the field office of World Education, Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

World Education has operated in Laos since 1992, and supports rural and community development in the fields of health, education, income generation and microfinance.

Each of the nine provinces where World Education works in Laos remains heavily impacted by unexploded bombs (UXO) and landmines from the Vietnam War. World Education strives to reduce the impact of these explosive remnants of war by improving the quality of health care services, increasing access to education, and promoting sustainable livelihoods for accident survivors and poor communities living in UXO contaminated areas.

World Education Laos' programs are funded by USAID, the US Department of State (PM/WRA), the McKnight Foundation, and other private foundations and contributions.

Bounmy Vijak lost an arm in a unexploded ordnance (UXO) accident when he was 13 years old, and World Education arranged for him to attend courses in English language and information technology. Bounmy is now a World Education volunteer with survivor assistance programs in Xieng Khouang.

History of World Education in Laos

In 1992 World Education established a presence in Vientiane as an implementing partner with Save the Children U.S. and World Learning Inc. to form the Consortium. As part of the Consortium, World Education supported the Lao Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare in implementing the Lao refugee repatriation program (funded by UNHCR and the U.S. Department of State).

This assistance was designed to facilitate reintegration of returnees using a comprehensive approach which included an emphasis on food security, income generation, microfinance, primary health care, education and the inclusion of assistance to neighboring villages. This work was completed in 1998 with the end of the Lao government's refugee repatriation program.

From 1995 to the present, World Education has worked through the Laos Ministry of Health to provide technical and material assistance to the health facilities in Xieng Khouang, Huaphan, Champassak, and Salavan, the four provinces most severely impacted by the more than two million tons of unexploded ordnance dropped on Laos from 1964 to 1973. This work has been funded by USAID's Leahy War Victim's Fund.

From 1999 to 2007, World Education implemented a project in the silk sub-sector with funding from USAID and the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). This project provided technical and financial assistance to the provincial Departments of Agriculture and Forestry and to forty communities in Xieng Khouang and Huaphan Provinces to improve and expand the silk sub-sector. Rural families have increased their annual income by selling high quality raw silk and/or silk material. This project also helped maintain the cultural tradition of silk weaving, traditional patterns, and use of natural dyes.