It’s hot out and we’re lurking in the shade. We talk to each other in mixes of Lao, English, motions and laughter, understanding little and smiling much.
The kids of Pha Theung are out of school for the day, free to play just a while before going home to prepare meals, look after siblings, clean the house. Our languages don’t mesh well enough for us to have conversations–we fall short after a few words and settle with laughing, passing snacks around, and looking at one another.
But here, where our lives, languages, …

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, …

He looks down at the boiled chicken head in his hands. “Deal.”

One night after leaving the Seeds of Learning facilities recently, I found myself peering over the edge of an active volcanic crater in Nicaragua, sharing gasps of awe with fellow travelers from every corner of the globe. We next ventured through the dark to explore a large cave, normally a place where you would feel as far removed from all familiarities as possible.
As we approached I heard two American accents, which led to a casual conversation with two fellow travelers who told me they worked in advertising. The conversation went …

For the past week I have been spending time in Dario, Nicaragua formalizing our first partnership in Latin America with an incredible organization called Seeds of Learning. We share a common approach to community development, which is grounded in the belief that each village must be deeply entrenched participants in the construction of their school, library or community center.
These structures we build neither “belong” to Seeds of Learning nor Pencils of Promise. They belong to the community; we are merely facilitators towards this end. Sustainability lies in local ownership, not …

In case you were wondering, our very own AB – Adam Braun, PoP’s founder – has been backpacking in Southeast Asia and conducting field work in Laos for the last few months.  Between visiting the adorable kids PoP is helping, checking out the construction site, and discussing partnership opportunities with local organizations, he has managed to write us an update from the field. So here is the first message from Adam, just in from Laos:
Today I found myself being laughed at. A lot. It’s rained almost nonstop for three straight …

Today we bring you an exciting update on the progress of our pre-school in Pha Theung, Laos –  hot off the wire!
The construction is nearly complete. The local workers are painting and covering the ceiling around building. All doors and windows are installed according to building plan designed by our in-house architecture Rich.
The village’s 61 children of preschool age will be able to receive early-stage education in this building in no time. This is one of the many schools to come – get excited!