I’ve been a supporter of the National Library of Laos Reading Promotion Program since 2003 after finding out about the project from Peter Whittlesey and his Lao Book Box Library drive.
Thanks to the support of friends, members and visitors of the former Lao Planet and Lao Voices, we have raised donations to pay for 10 book box libraries to be placed in schools in Laos. Between 2004-2008, 9 schools received our Lao Book Box Library under the flagship of Lao Planet.
In 2009, one book box library was donated to Wattay Noi Elementary school in Vientiane, under the name of Lao Voices.
National Library of Laos Reading Promotion Project
It is a sad fact that the Ministry of Education in Laos has no budget for books or educational supplies. The majority of Lao schools don’t have libraries or access to books for students.
There is hope however for Lao students to gain access to reading materials. The National Library of Laos started its National Reading Promotion Program (NRPP) in 1989 with the assistance of the Japanese government to promote literacy and reading among children and their families in Laos.
The National Library of Laos Reading Promotion Program provides boxes containing books (funded by foreign aid) to rural schools. At the same time, NRPP also promotes literary in Laos using Book Mobile library.
We are seeking your help to continue providing “Book Boxes” to schools in Laos. We kindly request your help in giving the children of Laos the power of knowledge.
If you or your school, business, or organization would like to sponsor your own book box, please contact the National Library of Laos directly and ask for director Kongdeuane Nettavong for further details.
How to contact the National Library of Laos:
The National Library of Laos is located at the corner Thanon Setthathirat/Thanon Pangkham, Ban Xiengyeun Thong, Muang Chanthaburi, Vientiane, Laos.
Mailing address:
P O Box 704
Vientiane
Lao P.D. R (Laos)
Telephone: (856-21) 212452 or (856-21) 312045
Fax: (856-21) 213029
Our second, third, and fourth book box library constructed in 2006 for those lucky schools in Laos.
Our fifth Lao Book Box Library delivered to Phonsikhay Elementary School in March 2007.
Our sixth Lao Book Box Library delivered to Dannavieng Elementary School in March 2007.
Our seventh Lao Book Box Library delivered to Nongdong Elementary School in March 2007.
Our eight Lao Book Box Library delivered to Akat Elementary School in March 2007.
Our ninth book box delivered to Houaylao Elementary School in Pakse in November 2007.
Our tenth book box delivered to Wattay-Noi Elementary School in Vientiane in March 2009.
Updated News on Lao Book Box Library
Laoplanet book boxes donated in Laos, February 17, 2006.
LP Charity Book Boxes delivered, February 23, 2007.
Books delivered at 4 schools in Laos, April 18, 2007.
LP Book Box Fund, July 20, 2007.
Phonsikhay Elementary School in Pakse, September 27, 2007.
Book Box at Phonsikhay Elementary update, October 25, 2007.
9th Book Box delivered in Laos, December 29, 2007.
Akat Elementary School in Vientiane, March 14, 2008.
Akat Elementary Book Box, March 15, 2008.
NongDong Elementary School in Champassak, June 18, 2008.
Dannavieng Book Box Library update, June 30, 2008.
A visit to Houaylao Elementary School, October 24, 2008.
Reading time at Houay Laou Elementary School, November 05, 2008.
A visit to Phonsikhay Elementary School, November 17, 2008.
Houay Laou Elementary School now has electricity, December 10, 2008.
A visit to Dannavieng Elementary School, December 28, 2008.
A visit to NongDong Elementary School, January 28, 2009.
A visit to Akat Elementary School, February 27, 2009.
Dannavieng Elementary School has a new name, March 03, 2009.
Valentine’s Day gift to Akat Elementary School, March 14, 2009.
Houay Laou Elementary electricity news update, March 18, 2009.
10th Book Box delivered in Laos, March 26, 2009.
Reading Time at Wattay Noi Elementary School, April 29, 2009.
A Visit to Wattay Noi Elementary, March 15, 2010.
Lao School Building Project Updated Photos, February 24, 2011.
Video update on Lao Book Box Library
I have been trying to raise money for a few book boxes and tried contacting the director in laos but didn’t have any luck. If anyone shall know another way of contact, please email me or leave a reponse on the message board. Thank you!
Sam Fhone Viengkae
Hi, our daycare would like to give a book box to a class. Please let us know how to do this and if pictures can be supplied for our kids here in america who have so much.
Hi,
Please contact the National Library of Laos for the exact price per book box and how to send the money to the director of the National Library. The price for the book box has gone up since last month due to a higher cost of constructing the wooden box to hold the books.
Director General Kongdeuane Nettavong
Mailing address:
P O Box 704
Vientiane
Lao P.D. R (Laos)
Telephone: (856-21) 212452 or (856-21) 312045
Fax: (856-21) 213029
You can make a request for photos to be taken during the delivery of your book box. The team from the National Library took a few photos for us during their delivery of four book boxes in 2007 to four different schools. My aunt in Vientiane then went to pick up the photos at the National Library of Laos and sent them to me.
The rest of the photos that we have were taken by my relatives living in the area where the book boxes were donated. I sent them digital cameras and asked them to go visit the schools to make photos and paid them for their service and the cost of making a photo CD as well as shipping cost.
Please know the National Library of Laos has no funding or budget so you would need to provide additional amount of money to cover the cost of shipping the receipt and the photos to the US.