Luang Prabang

SOS Children’s Villages supports individual children, young people and families so that they can thrive (photo: SOS Children’s Villages in Laos).

Luang Prabang, a city located in north central Laos, consists of 58 adjacent villages, of which 33 are recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site. The city has a population of 60,000. Luang Prabang is growing economically thanks to the interest of tourists in the city and its surroundings. However, the city is still marked by poverty and widespread violence against children.

Since 2001, SOS Children’s Villages has been supporting children, young people and families and advocating for their rights in Luang Prabang.

20%
Of people in Luang Prabang live in poverty

Poverty

With a poverty rate of 20%, many families and children of Luang Prabang are facing hardships. There has only been a small decrease in poverty in the last five years, which means one out of five people in the region is considered poor. Children are most affected by poverty. Indeed, they do not get the same education opportunities as other children. To illustrate, only 73% of children aged 11 to 14 go to school in Luang Prabang. Children are also most affected by food scarcity, with 41% of children in the province suffering from stunting, which is a measurement of low height for age. This is the result of recurrent undernutrition.

35%
Of children suffer from violence

Children are vulnerable to violence

More than a third of women (34%) and men (35%) experienced some form of violence during childhood. More specifically, 1 in 7 women and 1 in 6 men experienced at least one form of physical violence before the age of 18. Around 22% of girls and 36% of boys experienced their first incident of sexual abuse when they were 13 years old or younger. These are only a few of the heartbreaking numbers reported in Laos. One of the causes of this violence is sometimes attributed to the fact that 42% of adults in Laos believe that physical punishment is necessary to raise a child.

Your support makes a difference for children in Luang Prabang

SOS Children’s Villages works with local partners and communities to offer a wide range of support that is adapted to the local context. We always work in the best interest of the children, young people and families.
490
Adults and children
Are supported in the community
390
Children
Learn at our kindergartens and schools
130
Children and young people
Grow up in our care
30
Young people
Are supported on their way to independence
A child watering the plants in his garden (photo: SOS Children’s Villages in Laos).

How your support helps in Luang Prabang

Strengthening families and communities
When parents face hardships, they can sometimes struggle to give children the care they need. SOS Children’s Villages works with local partners and communities. Each family needs different support so that they can stay together. This support can include workshops on parenting and children’s rights. We also run trainings so that parents can get the skills they need to get a job or start businesses. Likewise, we ensure that children can get medical help and go to school.
Providing quality education
SOS Children’s Villages ensures that children and young people have access to high-quality education. We help them learn and develop in a safe and supportive environment. We train teachers on children’s rights and child-centered learning, so that each child can get the most out of their education. Young children spend time playing and learning at kindergarten. This prepares them for primary school.
Caring for children who cannot live with their families
Some children cannot stay with their families, even with additional support. When this happens, they can find a new home in SOS Children’s Villages. Here the children can build safe and lasting relationships. All the children in our care have access to education and healthcare. Wherever possible, we work closely with the children’s family of origin. If children can return to live with their families, we help them adapt to this change.
Supporting young people to become independent
To help young people become confident and independent, our local team works closely with each young person to develop a plan for their future. We support young people and also help them prepare for the labour market and increase their employment prospects. For example, young people can attend workshops and trainings run by SOS Children’s Villages. They also improve their skills through taking part in different projects with local mentors and businesses.