Lao Educational Opportunities Trust (LEOT) and friends of Music for Everyone School (MES) are teaming up for a fundraiser at Heuan Chan Heritage Centre in Luang Prabang on 4 November, with Eric Walter and his Native American wood flute taking centre stage at 19:00.
LEOT is a local NGO school providing English Language and Computer Studies courses for disadvantaged students in Luang Prabang.
“We have recently started a new course to help youngsters focus their plans for the future to enable them to find careers at the end of education,” said LEOT Trustee Peter Banwell. “Many work as waiters or receptionists and see their jobs as a way of paying for their education, (but) few see them as long-term career opportunities.”
He explained that jobs for youngsters in the public sector are limited, and LEOT is working with students to develop skills to enable them to find jobs in other sectors.
“Tourism is the biggest employer in Luang Prabang and offers the best opportunity for many.”
LEOT is funded completely by donations and provides free education for around 300 students each year.
To help raise funds, LEOT and MES are holding a performance by Eric Walter, who has been playing the Native American wood flute for more than 25 years.
For the evening, he will be playing the flute and guitar, and singing his own compositions along with American folk and pop songs. WES students will play before Eric Walter’s performance.
Admission is LAK 50,000 for foreigners, LAK 30,000 for Lao nationals, and LAK 10,000 for students.
A raffle will also be held, and LEOT is seeking prize donations and advertisements from local businesses.
For more information, please contact Peter Banwell: peter@leot.org.uk
