“I am determined to earn an income to make a better life for my family”

Thing’s carpentry class has 21 students, and he is one of 17 in the class who are Lao ethnic minority peoples. He said he feels very supported in the project, “Sometimes when I did not understand the lessons, I asked the teacher for help. He helped me practice so I could do better in the class,” he said.  In addition to classroom support, the project Vocational Training and Employment Support Services (VTESS) provided clothing and school supplies. 

Thing said one of his reasons for studying carpentry was, “Because I am quite old and carpenters do not have to stand under the sun as in other fields of study."

Thing and his wife, who is a tailor, have five children and live in XiengKhuang Province. He wants to help his family to live better and lift them out of poverty. Thing’s goal after his graduation is to work in carpentry and save money to be able to build his own business.

The VTESS project supports the build-up and strengthening of an inclusive vocational education and training system in Laos.