Vientiane: 27 February 2008

Dear Lieu Tou Reunion Friends and Relatives,

On behalf of the students, their families and the teachers who work in the Integrated Life-Skills Program in Xieng Khouang, I would like to extend my personal and sincere thanks to all of you for your support of this pilot program.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about it while you were visiting Phon Savanh and most especially for the generous financial assistance from your own pockets that you gave to help to continue and to expand this effort, one which is making school more relevant in the daily lives of children and their communities.

It was very thoughtful of you to show your concern for better education while you were with Ajan Soundeuan Simsamay, the Program Officer, on the bus in Phon Savanh. This demonstrated to him and to others that there are many Lao abroad who have the best interests of young children in their hearts and who want to support them for a better life as they grow up here.

I would like to give special thanks, also, to your kind and cordial guide, Vilay (陳新士), for making your visit possible.

I spoke with Ajan Soundeuan yesterday and he described to me how your help has been used to support hands-on pre-vocational activities for students, teacher training, and expansion to a new community in Nong Haet District during this school term.

I hope that you will have another chance to visit the Program in the future and to speak with some of the students and teachers you have helped.

The best of good health and happiness to you in the New Year!

Warm regards,

Art Crisfield
Program Advisor