The Wobbling Sprocket » Vangtang School Project

Grand Opening at Vangtang in the Lao PDR!

Bob_Thompson — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:39:38 +0000

It’s been a while coming, but the Grand Opening of the new school in Vangtang Village is at hand. Hats off to Howard Stauffer, The Arcata Sunrise Rotary Club, Eureka Rotary Club, Hans Eide, Ben Fairless, Ken Phetsayphone and others for making it happen.

Howard, his daughter and some others are in SE Asia right now to attend the Grand Opening ceremony which occurs in just a few days time.

Howard has set up a blog to share the event:
“Return Bicycle Trip to Laos for the Opening Ceremony of the Vangtang Village School”

Watch the blog and send Howard a note. It’s a pretty special thing to go on a bike trip and end up building a school half way around the world.

Here is a picture of the Arcata Sunrise Rotary Club. I’ve added the arrow to identify Harold (aka “Big Ring”) Stauffer.

Arcata Sunrise Rotary Club

Vangtang School update

Bob_Thompson — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 22:33:08 +0000

Vangtang Village School Update

On February 23, I had a chance to stop by Vangtang, see the school and meet the village headman and some others.

The school itself is not being worked on at the moment since they are waiting for windows and doorframes. I am told there is about a month’s worth of work when those arrive. I think it will be longer than that though. Projects usually don’t happen fast in Lao.

There is an old smaller school nearby. When the new school building is complete, the old structure will be moved closer to the new one. Right now many children of the school attend a school in the next village since there is not enough space in the old Vangtang school building.

Here is a picture of the new building with some school children in front:

Vangtang

And some of the kids that will be using it.

I know Howard Stauffer will make the trek to Laos to be at the Grand Opening which is scheduled for November.

All the people that purchased a Far and Away Lao Jersey or otherwise contributed to this project should feel very good about this project. It will make a big difference for Vangtang.

Vangtang School Update

Bob_Thompson — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 02:24:06 +0000

Here is the latest picture I have for our new school in Ban Vangtang:

Vangtang school

The picture is from Dec 1 and I’m sure a lot more progress has been made. We will have a chance to visit during the Feb tour.

The first phase of the project is complete. The schedule calls for the entire school to be finished around August.

It’s great to see the progress that has been made.

Thanks again to all those that supported this by purchasing our Lao Jersey.

Best,

Bob

A new school for Ban Van Tang Village

Bob_Thompson — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 03:30:30 +0000

Every year in Laos, we have contributed funds to a local school along the route. We all kick in and come up with maybe $300 or $400. This last year Howard Stauffer, who was on the tour, decided to out do his nickname (“Big Ring Howard”) and enlist his Rotary Club to raise enough funds to build an entire new school for Ban Van Tang Village! A $10,000 project. Right on Howard!

Vang Tang School

The classroom being replaced is pictured at left. It has a dirt floor and as you might imagine from the light shining through the walls, the wind blows right through it. It will be replaced by a substantial cement-floored building with several classrooms.

There is little in the way of educational infrastructure in Laos. For a village such as Vang Tang, the new school will be a dramatic improvement. Children in Laos are the central focal point of most families.

Vang Tang Villagers

Vang Tang is a small village of about 500 people that is located in the Northwest part of Laos. It is about 1/2 way between the Pak Beng and Odomxay. The map below, which is courtesy of Travelfish.org, will give you a good idea of where Vang Tang is located.

map of laos

Anyone who has traveled in Northwest Lao has to be impressed with all the kids that run from several fields away and hang out of every window to yell, “sabaidee” as you pedal by. They are seemingly always happy. They leave a lasting impression on those that pass through these villages

The project of constructing the building is already progressing with phase one nearing completion. The entire project is scheduled to be finished around August, 2008. Additional funds are necessary to complete the project.

Credit for initiating this project goes to Howard Stauffer. A majority of the funding for this project is coming from the efforts and generosity of the Arcata Sunrise Rotary Club located in Northern California of which Howard is a member. Additionally, the project would not have been possible without the efforts and assistance of Mr. Ken Phetxayphone of Samlaan Cycling. Ken worked with the Village Headman and the Lao authorities to put together the needed plans and gain the necessary approvals and administrative structure for the project.

I plan to post updates on the project. On the Feb, 23, 2008 Lao tour, we will stop by Vang Tang and visit the school.

Best,

Bob