When you first see Kua, she’s at the blackboard, the teacher admiring her work. She’s sporting a baseball cap and t-shirt with her school skirt and is undoubtedly smiling.

When they break for lunch, her classmates fall into a familiar stride behind their friend and leader. Kua knows everybody in Pha Theung school and village.

And everybody knows Kua. She is a confident, intelligent and friendly female who loves her village and her school.

As they file out the door, she announces to all of them that they’re going to take the falang, you, down to the river.

On the muddy bank of the Nam Ou, she unties her skirt to wear the basketball shorts underneath, more practical boating attire.

She helps you in the boat, her hand in yours. As your hand dips in the river she says, ‘nam,’ the Lao word for water then looks to you. ‘Water.’ She repeats again and again, rolling the new sounds through her mouth and quickly mastering them.

Out on the river Kua, who is 13-years-old, tells you in Lao, English and body language that she’ll be taking you home and making you lunch.  She says she loves you to see her village.

As a prominent young female in her village, Kua is proud to be a part of Pencils of Promise.

Kua is Pencils of Promise. A young mind, excited to learn, empowering herself and everyone around her.

Photo Credit: Nick Onken