Ban Pa Nor in the North of Luang Prabang is populated by the indigenous group of the „Khmu” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmu_people). In this region, the illiteracy rate is very high. Since the start of the Ban Pa Nor education initiative that is strongly supported by Education for Life since 2012, a lot has been achieved:
- A delapidated school was reconstructed, a kitchen was built
- School fees for children of the poorest families have been and are being paid
- School materials, medical and sanitary products, shoes and clothes are regularly delivered personally by members of Education for Life
- Formerly undernourished school children receive now a healthy lunch every day (see Update of our lunch box initiative)
- A fish pond was established to complement the lunch of the children
- Since 2013 flowers have been cultivated and sold for income generation
Here you get an impression about the development in Ban Pa Nor:
Here you see the fish pond, diligent school children and some flower beds:
Now, as a next step, water is needed, more specifically a water irrigation and a pumping system for improving income generation and thereby providing economic, social and ecological sustainability, see Water Pipeline for Ban Pa Nor.
Basic Facts about the Village Ban Pa Nor
- Name Ban Pa Nor: meaning ‘Bamboo Forest’
- Location: 20 km from Luang Prabang City, Luang Prabang Province, Laos
- Ethnic make-up of the village: Khmu
- Population: approx. 500, primary school children approx. 40 per year
- Established since 1973 (moved from another location)
- Raining season: from June to October
- Languages: Khmu, Lao.
- Income per person: 595 USD / year or 1.6 USD / day
- Primary school fee for one child / year: 80 USD