SEDA is happy to announce a new partnership with the Tadlo Computer Education Center (TCEC) in Salavanh Province. In the area around TCEC, only one secondary school provides education up to an eighth grade level. Computer training in Laos is limited to cities, making IT skills training only accessible to urban youth. TCEC provides computer training and English education to over 70 students from age 10 to 21. TCEC is currently working with a limited number of computers, most of which run on old, slow processors. SEDA will help raise operating expenses and funds for new and updated equipment. Through this partnership, the ability of TCEC to provide training to students will be greatly expanded.

Please visit Global Giving to show your support for this program:

http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/teach-children-english-and-computer-skills-in-laos/

Students at the TCEC enjoying their IT education.

SEDA is partnering with the 4 villages and the Lao Govt. Department of Agriculture in the Lao Ngarm District of Salavanh Province for a project aimed at protecting biodiversity while helping coffee and durian farmers receive fair prices for their products. Farmers in this area practice intercropping with durian and coffee so their harvests are constantly cycling for income year-round. SEDA will implement workshops focused on biodiversity, sales and marketing so farmers can reach the upscale markets their products are suited for. Micro-credit will provide farmers with the funding they need for packaging. SEDA’s founder and management team recently visited the farmers that this project will reach. This ongoing project will promote biodiversity and enhance entrepreneurship. The ultimate goal is for the farmers to achieve independent and sustainable income.

Harvesting durian fruit in Salavanh Province, Southern Lao PDR

Three SEDA staff attended a workshop on the role of Civil Society in the UPR on Human Rights. It was a very interesting day and was hosted by the Australian Embassy. Key speakers included the Australian Ambassador Dr Michele Forster, Darren Dick from the Human Rights Commission and Greg Heesom from the Asia Pacific Forum. This year the Lao government has already approved 47 civil rights and 53 more will be approved by the end of September. SEDA hopes to increase awareness of these rights via outreach to farmers and civilians in remote sites. We hope to partner with interested NGOs in accomplishing this goal.

SEDA staff among others at the Human Rights Workshop