Women’s empowerment volunteering in Laos

If you are looking to volunteer as a teacher in an extraordinary setting, this is the perfect project for you. The programme focuses on improving education for women in the beautifully preserved city.

Gender inequality in Laos

There are huge educational divides in Laos. Entrenched gender roles and a division between families from different socio-economic backgrounds mean that many women from poorer communities have limited access to education. As a result, women are under-represented in politics and high-earning professions. Women’s career paths are severely limited. Many girls leave their home in search of employment, making them extremely vulnerable to sexual exploitation. Many women on the programme have lead difficult lives. The aim of this programme is to help to break this cycle of inequality and to help local women to build their confidence and skills.

What will I be doing?

The women you will be teaching will be a range of ages and abilities. Your primary role will be to try and help the students with conversational English, focusing on how English can help them in a practical setting. Some lessons may incorporate IT, health and life skills. A few hours a week, you will be asked to teach lessons at a local English centre, where you will teacher a variety of ages

On Monday to Thursday, you will work 3-4 hours a day. These hours may differ each day. On some days, you may be asked to run evening classes. You will also have 2-3 hours a day to prepare lessons. One session a week will be at a local community English centre. Volunteers will get to teach a wide range of people, from monks, women and children. These lessons are often considered as a highlight by past volunteers.

On top of this you will receive:

• Training on lesson planning, TEFL skills and specific women’s empowerment training
• Access to a teaching resource room in a local college
• A teaching mentor
• Handover notes from past volunteers to ensure consistency

Accommodation and food

You will be living at a shared volunteer guesthouse. There are shared rooms and bathrooms at the accommodation. However, there are upgrade options if you would prefer to have your own room.

Staff at the guest house are extremely friendly and welcoming. Your room will be cleaned once a week.  To wash your clothes, you can pay a small fee to get your laundry done on site.

Due to a national ban, the guesthouse has a curfew of 12pm, which is the same for everyone in Luang Prabang. On the first Friday, prior to the Saturday arrival date, you will need to book your own accommodation. We can offer advise on this.

You will be provided with 3 authentic Lao meals a day, while at the guesthouse. Cooked by a local cook on site, you will get to experience delicious, local cuisine. Vegetarians can be catered for. There are many different restaurants in the local area if you fancy a night out.

When should I book?

Whilst late-availability is possible, we would advise booking as soon as you can to guarantee your ideal dates. Our projects are very popular and spaces can fill up several months in advance, especially for the months of June to September.