“On the way to the Washington DC I was thinking only about Laos. On the way back I was thinking about our neighbours, about the whole world”- Souly QuachAngkham SEDA founder and Chief Executive.

Although SEDA did not win the prize, the World Bank’s Development Marketplace 2009 climate change adaptation competition provided an excellent opportunity for SEDA to build working relationships and share ideas with like-minded organisations from around the world. SEDA has already formed a network with ten other competitors; it is hoped that by sharing information and working together they can all achieve their own, and their shared goals faster. SEDA also gained valuable international exposure at the competition. Representative Souly QuachAngkham was interviewed by a variety of news outlets, and many organisations expressed interest in SEDA’s clay filtration and floating garden schemes.

You can learn more about SEDA’s involvement with the World Bank’s Development Marketplace 2009 at -

http://www.facebook.com/pages/SEDA-Laos/#/pages/SEDA-Laos/93076021515?ref=ts

http://twitter.com/sedalaos

http://www.youtube.com/devmarketplace2009

“SEDA has provided me with such a great opportunity to gain not only knowledge and marketing, but also to help my family by producing my own income”- micro-credit weaving member.

We are pleased to announce that we have welcomed four more women into our textile weaving micro-credit program in recent months. This program provides disadvantaged women with the technical support, training and marketing of woven skirts, in the hope that they will generate their own income in the future.

SEDA’s Chief Executive Souly QuachAngkham spoke with these women on a recent visit, and asked if they were happy with the project.

“We are very happy! Thank you for giving is this opportunity to help our own communities”- Leader of weaving group.

Please help us to continue this important project in the future by donating at:

http://www.globalgiving.com/projects/lao-weaving-artisans-micro-credit-project/

SEDA staff visited the Lao Ngarm District this month and met with local farmers and district officials to prepare for the implementation of the US$24,999 seed fund grant awarded by the US Embassy in Bangkok. The grant will be used to train local farmers in 100% organic and environmentally sustainable agricultural practices, which have been designed to improve both crop yield and quality. Participating farmers will be supported by a microcredit scheme which will enable them to purchase seeds and seedlings to get started.

SEDA was thrilled to receive this grant because it facilitates the setup of this program. However, we need more donations to ensure that this fabulous program continues in the future.

Please help us to continue this important work by donating at:

http://www.globalgiving.com/projects/micro-credit-for-disadvantaged-farmers-in-laos/

You can also help to improve basic services in these villages at:

http://www.globalgiving.com/projects/school-renovation-in-laos/