Officials from Khammuan province’s Labour and Social Welfare Department last week deliver one tonne of rice, noodles, drinking water and other supplies to Xaybuathong district disaster management officials for distribution to families who suffered losses during storms in the rainy season.  --Photo Lao National Radio

Twenty-five farmers from 14 villages in the provinces of Borikhamxay, Vientiane and Xing Khuang have learnt more about cassava processing through a training course on capacity building for farmers’ groups, part of a project for rural development in northern and central Laos. The course took place at the Lao-Korean Rural Development and Training Centre from February 2-7, with funding support from the Government of Korea through KOICA. The course taught cassava farmers about conceptual frameworks and techniques relating to the use of machinery in cassava cultivation. Participants also learnt about the linking of Korea’s Saemaul Undong principles with Laos’ Three-Build devolution directive, formation of groups and cooperatives, control of insects, pests and diseases that affect cassava, participatory development planning, marketing, use of mixers and fertiliser, use of grinding and cutting machines, and safety when using machinery.

The Governor of Khammuan province Mr Vanxay Fongsavanh and his officials on Sunday visit booths selling a wide variety of goods after attending the opening ceremony of the Sikhottabong stupa festival in Khammuan province, which is taking place from February 9-12. --Photo Pasaxon

A new primary school in Phonhong village, Khamkeuth district, is officially handed over to Borikhamxay province on Monday. The event was attended by the provincial Governor’s family, representatives of the province’s Duangchay fund, government officials, and schoolchildren. Construction of the school was completed last month at a cost of 900 million kip, funded by various sectors.             --Photo Lao National Radio

Teachers and award-winning students from Savannakhet University and Savannakhet Teacher Training College gather for a group photo with representatives from Lao Brewery Company (LBC) at a recent scholarship awards ceremony in Savannakhet province. For the 2024-2025 academic year, LBC awarded 13 scholarships to outstanding students from Savannakhet University, amounting to 85.8 million kip. Additionally, 10 scholarships, totalling 66 million kip, were granted to students at Savannakhet Teacher Training College. Speaking at the ceremony, LBC’s CA, CSR & Sustainability Director, Mr Sithixay Ketthavong, said that since 2010 the company has provided student scholarships worth a total of 11.2 billion kip.

Residents of Phonsyda village in Kasy district, Vientiane province, come together on February 8 to construct a 217-metre water channel, at cost of US$11,501. The project also includes the construction of a farm road, a rain shelter for vegetables, cattle and poultry farming, a village development fund, and training programmes for villagers. Supported by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the initiative aims to improve the quality of life in 14 villages of Vientiane, Xieng Khuang and Borikhamxay provinces.