As part of our commitment to foster educational development and enhancing learning environments, our team of 22 members from NTU Muslim Society undertook a multifaceted improvement project at Ban Done Deng Primary School in Laos from 1 to 13 June 2024. This initiative is designed to benefit 120 students and 10 teaching staff members directly by creating a more comfortable and conducive learning atmosphere.
The primary objective of this project is to positively influence the students’ well-being and optimise their learning conditions through infrastructural and aesthetic enhancements. These improvements aim to support academic growth and nurture the students’ and staff’s overall health and happiness. The project involved painting a total of 3 classrooms to create a vibrant and engaging learning environment. Fresh colours and well-maintained walls are essential for a pleasant educational atmosphere, significantly boosting student morale and concentration.
To broaden students’ knowledge and skills, we introduced activities pertaining to sustainability, namely food composting. We aim to educate students and their families on sustainable practices related to food. We also provided a manual for the teachers to follow, so that it can be conducted with future student batches even after we leave. This composting workshop aims to teach students to minimise organic waste, especially with food components that cannot be digested such as vegetable scraps or fruit skins. The resultant soil can be used at any time in their farming practices to provide more nutrients to their crops.
Additionally, our water filtration pipe installation project aims to provide access to clean and potable water for a small part of the Chantabouly District near the vicinity of Ban Done Deng Primary School, where about 500 villagers reside. This initiative addresses a critical need for safe drinking water for maintaining health and preventing waterborne diseases. Installing the water filtration pipes will provide a reliable source of clean water, thus contributing to overall public health and well-being. This not only fulfils an immediate need but also establishes a sustainable solution that can serve the community for years to come.
My experience in Vientiane was profoundly transformative. Working with teachers and local partners, visiting villages, and engaging with social enterprises gave me a deep understanding of both the challenges and strengths within these communities. It made me reflect on our privileges as Singaporeans, and emphasised the importance of using them to serve others. Hanlala Thasneem Mohamed Ammar, Head of Publicity
About PerMS: Tamadun Safar
Tamadun Safar is a collaborative effort between members from NTU Muslim Society and NTU Malay Language and Cultural Society, Perbayu. This collaboration aims not just to connect the members of both societies, but to connect them with communities locally and overseas through service learning.
