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.
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.
72%
44%
29%
Lao PDR at a glance
Photography by Samantha Nieman and VFI staff
© Village Focus International 2017
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%
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%
