I visited Home of Light recently, a boarding school for the blind, founded in 1995 and located in Vientiene, Laos just on the edge of the city at the Ministry of Health. It’s the first of three existing schools for the blind in Laos, under the care of the Vientiane Ophthalmology Centre. Holland and Laos Ministry of Education have been the main funders of the Home of Light. The school’s administrator, Khamkeo Xongboua Kham, was gracious enough to meet with me briefly and tell me about the school.

Children learn to be self sufficient here, they learn to be literate in braille,  how to cook and do household work. When they leave, at very least, hopes are that they can be productive in society and lead a more normal life and have same skills as any other graduate.  Three graduates are currently in college and studying to be English language teachers and two graduates are already teaching. Young students come from all over Laos’ country sides where their families have a hard time to provide them the specialized  education they need. Many arrive only speaking their native language, but here, they learn to speak Lao. When I visited,  32 kids where studying there and ages ranged from 4 to 16. Two girls around age 7 where helping those without sight. It was touching to see and they were having a ball playing with one another.  They loved the stuffed animals I brought with me donated by Child United. Want to donate or volunteer? Write Khamkeo at khamkeo1986@hotmail.com.