U.S. Ambassador officially opens school feeding project in southern Laos

From left: Mr. Kenethong Sisouvong, Vice Governor of Attapeu Province; Mr. Lytou Buapao, Vice Minister of Education; World Food Programme Country Director Mrs. Karin Manatte; U.S. Ambassador Ravic Huso, center; Mr. Phonephet Khiewlavong, Vice Governor of Sekong Province; Mr. Thavone Phommalailoun, head of the Education Department, Sekong Province; and Mr. Khamphone Mokmeuangsum, head of the Education Department, Attapeu Province.

School children received books from Ambassador and Mrs. Huso.

On March 24, 2009 the World Food Program, U.S. Embassy, and Ministry of Education officially opened the school feeding program for southern Laos, covering the provinces of Attapeu, Saravan, and Sekong. This program granted approximately $9 million to WFP to purchase food for needy children in Laos. This assistance is from the people and government of the United States, through the World Food Program, and will give schoolchildren what they need most: an opportunity to grow and to succeed.

The event was held at Ban Mixai, Sanxay District, in Attapeu Province and was attended by U.S Ambassador to Laos Ravic Huso; Vice Minister of Education, Mr. Lytou Buapao, and the World Food Program’s representative to Laos, Mrs. Karin Manatte. Representatives from Attapeu, Sekong, and Saravan provincial governments also attended, along with more than 150 villagers and students.

In addition to the school feeding program, the Embassy also gave more than 2700 books to poor schools in the area. Published by the Big Brother Mouse Company, the books will help Lao children learn to love reading from an early age.