Vientiane Times sent a team to Khammuan province on September 23-24 to distribute educational supplies and food to children in three primary schools in Nhommalath district, after launching a fund-raising appeal in August.
The total amount contributed by the public reached 9.3 million kip in early September, increasing to 15 million kip when Vientiane Times donated a further 5 million kip, including 690,000 kip from the newspaper’s staff.
About 11.8 million kip was spent on educational materials, noodles, milk, candy and cans of fish for Phonsaek, Nakasang and Nongkhiew primary schools in Nhommalath district. More than 220 pupils benefitted from the aid.
According to the leader of the Vientiane Times team Mr Phonekeo Vorakhoun, transport costs pushed the total assistance up to about 13.2 million kip.
Unfortunately, the team could not take the final donation to Nongkhiew Primary School because the road was still flooded. The supplies intended for the school are being stored at the district Education Office for later distribution.
Mr Phonekeo said the remaining public contributions will be used to distribute aid to children in Champassak province, which is expected to occur next month.
Vientiane Times is now focusing its attention on collecting further donations from the public to assist students of flood-affected schools in the southern province.
