To say that the return of the students at the end of the summer holidays in September was manic would be an understatement! At first it looked as though the Workshop had come to the end of its days and I would be forced to close down as only 4 of my students turned up during that first week!
It seems that the Government is/has run out of money and they have decided to cut back on the number of students attending the Orphanage school, reducing the number from almost 600 children last term to just over 300 this term. Sadly, among those who did not return were 5 of my students.
However, the government was actually carrying out a means test, visiting all the students families to ascertain whether or not they were poor enough for the child to attend the Orphanage. Once this was completed some 80 more kids were allowed back but unfortunately only 1 of those was one of my ex students and to that end I had to mount a huge recruitment campaign to try and find 6 new students who met the criteria to join the workshop.
This campaign produced 12 applicants in the correct age group and after completing interviews and a number of computer literacy tests, by the end of the 2nd week in September I was able to select 6 new boys aged 13 and 14 who passed the tests to the required standard.
Students for 2025/2026. New students in the bottom row.
The next few weeks were busy as I held two meetings a week, 1 for the new students to teach them basic computer skills, and the second for all the students. I also spent much of my time in the classroom monitoring and helping the new Junior Students.
After 2 weeks of intense training/work/practice I gave the Junior Group their first project which is always to make a Personal Health and Hygiene film. Having taught them the principles they then had to learn how to use the cameras and the video editing software and finally, go up to the Orphanage and make a 5 minute video using the young primary school children as their actors. This project finished just a couple of days before I went to Thailand on a Medical visit and I have to admit that despite the short time they had to learn and prepare, all of the boys did extremely well and there were some excellent films.
During this time, the 5 Senior Students did a sterling job, constantly helping the new boys learn the programs, and even now, when I walk through the Workshop, I almost always find at least 2 of the senior boys helping the newbies. 16 and 17 year old boys helping (Volutarily) 13 and 14 year olds is so nice to see. There is no bullying or shunning of these kids and they have already become fully integrated and accepted by the older students.
The main reason for the panic at the beginning of the term was because of my imminent departure for Thailand, having suffered another compression fracture in the spine that must be fixed. To that end it was essential that I got the workshop up, running and fully functional before my departure as I would be away for approximately 3 weeks and I am delighted to say that I was able to leave, as planned, in the knowledge that the workshop was in good working order and the older boys had everything under control.
in early September, just in time to meet the new students, Stig Dronnen from Norway visited us for a few days.
Dinner with Stig
As always, Stig donated lots of items that the workshop needed, but the most important was a Dehumidifier. This is vital for the workshop because the humidity levels over here at this time of year are well into the 90s, and I have spent a fortune in repairing computers because either the main “Motherboard”, the power supply unit, or the SSD hard drive have burned out due to damp, which has caused short circuits in the hardware. The damp problem was really highlighted a couple of weeks ago when the ceiling in the annex classroom completely collapsed. The entire ceiling fell down in one massive piece, shattering as it hit the tables and chairs in the room. This was caused by condensation gradually being absorbed by the gypsum over many months of extreme humidity until it became too heavy for the screws to take the weight. Fortunately, this was the Annex classroom where I give my lessons and hold meetings, but it is also fitted out as a "Green Screen Studio" that the students can use when they need to add special effects to their videos. Had the ceiling crashed in the main computer classroom, the damage could have run into thousands of dollars as monitors would have been smashed and computers damaged.
As well as supporting the Workshop, Stig has been donating money, food and personal care packages to the Orphanage school for 15 years and this years visit was no exception.
Stig donates personal care packages to the orphanage kids
Children hunt through a bundle of donated clothes looking for a new outfit. This boy obviously loves his new Denim Jacket
Thank you, Stig for your most generous donations both to the Laos Children's Workshop and the underprivileged kids at the Orphanage.
On the last weekend of September I held a combined party as a Welcome back from the holidays/Welcome to the New Students/and for my Birthday. This was the first party that the new boys had attended and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening. It was also a wonderful surprise as the lights suddenly went out and in walked a couple of students holding two huge Birthday cakes complete with flaming candles.
The students gave me not one ... but two beautifully decorated Birthday cakes.
They had clubbed together their meager savings to buy the cakes, and it was a tear-jerking moment as they sang Happy Birthday. How fortunate I am to be able to teach these young men!
Cutting the cake
At this moment in time, and just 2 months into the new term, I have nothing else to report. The new students are now competent in the basic computer skills they need to use all the programs on their computers and are able to join in with the older students as we move onto Graphic design. I am very happy with the standard, accross the board of this present group of young men. The Workshop, despite the loss of a number of the older boys, is in excellent shape and continues to thrive.
I once again thank everyone who has donated to and supported the Wokshop both past and present and look forward to your continued support.
Best wishes to you all,
Philip