Why focus on the village?
We
believe
that
international
change
starts
at
the
local
level.
In
Laos,
that
means
empowering
rural
villages,
where
nearly
70
percent
of
the
population
lives.
Villages
are
complex
and
interconnected,
a
tapestry
that
requires
healthy
land
and
natural
resources,
access
to
food
and
livelihood
opportunity,
and
empowered
and
skilled
women,
men
and
youth.
When
these
key
’threads’
are
weakened,
village
life
becomes
unhealthy
and
the
entire
community
becomes
vulnerable.
We
aim
to
strengthen
village
life
by
eradicating
human
trafficking,
assuring
communities’
land
rights,
and
increasing
their
food security.
© Village Focus International 2017
Photos by Samantha Nieman and VFI staff
Why Laos?
Laos, or the Lao People’s Democratic Republic,
is the only landlocked country in Southeast
Asia, with a population of just under seven
million people. Laos shares its borders with
Vietnam in the east, Thailand in the west, China
and Myanmar in the north, and Cambodia in
the south. Laos remains one of the poorest
countries in Asia and is included in the UN’s list
of the 47 least developed countries in the
world.
As the majority of Laos’ population is rural, VFI
takes a grassroots approach to alleviating
poverty, working on the ground in communities
while advocating for policies at the national
level to protect villages’ interests. Our Lao staff
works closely with local leaders to promote
self-sufficiency and build the capacity of
families and communities to prevent human
trafficking, increase land security, and grow
sustainable and nourishing foods. We believe
confronting Laos’ many challenges takes
much effort -- but most importantly, it takes
a village focus.
Lao PDR at a glance
72%
44%
29%