Sponsored children help World Vision promote child rights

Noy Sengmany, 13, from Pak Ou programme are, Luang Prabang Province, and studies in grade three of the secondary school. She is active in helping World Vision promote child’s rights in her village.

Since 2012, Noy has been registered as sponsor children, joining various activities that are organized in her village.

“Child sponsorship activities help improve her drawing, speaking, singing, and dancing skills,” Noy’s mother Lak said.

In 2013, she was among many children from Pak Ou programme area who participated in the annual review meeting of the development work in Pak Ou district. She talked about child rights, especially for allowing girls to attend school, just like boys.

“In my village, there are many children who cannot go to school. Some children have to drop out of school because of poverty. Some children can’t walk the 7km to school, and because they don’t have a bicycle, they also drop out. Some families request an older child to drop out of school to help with family work on the farm or to care for the younger children,” Noy says. 

To address issues affecting children and attendance, World Vision Lao introduced a project in 2013 to promote child rights in Pakou ADP. Noy was among the first 34 children who actively participated in child club activities.

“It is importance for children to understand their rights, because it can help them from dropping out of school,” Noy shares with a grin.

Child Club activities promote child rights, improving life skills and create a space for children to talk about protection issues. The activity also encourages children to have voice and participate in decisions that affect their lives.

This project creates equal opportunities for all children; boys, girls, vulnerable and disable children, as well as children who dropped out from school.

“Through the activities children have the opportunity to learn and help each other,” says Vilasai Thammavong, World Vision Lao Child Protection Manager. He continues, “To strengthen the relationship with community and educate people about child’s rights. We use local art and literature from each community.”

 “I learned how to educate people about child rights through drama performances,” Noy shares.

In year 2014 Noy was selected as one of representative children from Pak Ou to attend the World Vision Lao Child Forum in Vientiane Capital together with 22 children from other areas where we work.  

“It was first trip for me to see the capital of our country,” Noy shared proudly.

During the event, Noy presented a photo story of the changes that World Vision has contributed to in her village.

“There are many changes happening in my village, more children like me attend school. We have better access to clean water. There is basic medical care, many women have improved their weaving skills and access to markets to sell their products,” said Noy.

However, Noy also shared about the challenges in her village that impact child well being.

“Some of the people in my village are still suffering. Climate change provides direct impact to rice field planting, some years there is not enough water, sometimes there is too much water and the rice fields are flooded,” said Noy.

She continued, “The impact from this issue is that many families do not have enough rice to eat. It also impacts their children’s education. Some children, the same age as me, drop out from school to help their family work,” Noy said. 

“I want World Vision and government to consider helping my village with our water supply because we don’t have enough clean water. The river is dry,” she added.

Through photo presentations and drama performances, the Senior Management team of World Vision, government counterparts and development partners gained understanding about the needs of the children. They also learned about the progress of community development, both positive and negative that impact rural villages.

Lao National TV and Lao National Radio reporters who were present at the event were very interested to broadcast the event. See link to Lao National TV clip

The World Vision programmes are not just bringing change for children in the villages, but are also working to strengthen the relationship between the community and senior government leaders.  At the Child Forum, learning about the issues and challenges that affect people in the villages will help influence policy development.

In 2020, Lao PDR hopes to be released from ‘Least Developed Countries’ status. Noy will be 20 years old in 2020 and she wants to be a teacher in her village.

“I want to thank World Vision very much because I have learned a lot about child right and how to educate others,” Noy shares happily.