Overview:
Our partner exists to assist the poor, disadvantaged and broken people of Laos, with particular emphasis on those addicted to drugs. Three facilities currently operate in the surrounds of the capital Vientiane, one of which is a newly opened Women and Children’s Centre set up to provide a nurturing environment for both women and children. This project supports women addicted to drugs through rehabilitation and vocational training. Our component of the project is to continue to provide local Lao staff salaries and operating costs for the next 3 years while encouraging the centre to gradually become more sustainable.
Why support this:
This project is in response to a survey of women living and working in the area. They recognized the need for rehabilitation and restoration and strongly endorsed the opening of a women’s centre where women can find healing and empowerment, no longer pressured to meet their basic needs through subservient means, and where children can learn and grow into healthy, able adults. The staff are entirely local and many have experienced rehabilitation themselves so understand the challenges and are highly committed to the cause.
Budget:
Total budget for year 3: $23,000
The Need:
Drug addiction has become a major problem in Laos, leading to long-term mental infirmity in some cases. It is often inevitable that children of young, unmarried women affected by addiction and mental health issues are left to be raised by grandparents or other relatives. This means they often grow up as virtual orphans, deprived of a supportive environment where they can learn and develop into healthy, able adults. There are very few centres in the country that focus on rehabilitation of young women and their children and their specific needs.
Expected Life Change:
