Program and Event

U.S. donates 660 tons of food to support children’s education

U.S. Embassy representative Joshua Archibald shakes hands with Mr. Bounsuan Sengdavong, who represented the governor of Khammouan province at the ceremony.

On July 24, U.S. Embassy economic officer Joshua Archibald and representatives of the International Relief and Development (IRD) organization joined officials of Khammouan province in celebrating the arrival of the first 20 tons of food destined for a school feeding program funded by the United States Department of Agriculture. His Excellency Bounsuan Sengdavong, personal representative of the provincial governor, and Mr. Sivong Inthavong, Director of Education Services of the provincial education department, attended the ceremony on behalf of the province. Representatives from Humpty Dumpty Institute and the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) also attended the ceremony. 

The food aid is part of a project supported by the United States Department of Agriculture’s “Food for Education” program. The rice, beans, canned salmon, and cereals will be used to support schools in Buaolapa, Mahasay, and Gnomalat Districts. The school feeding program will target 10,000 students in 110 primary schools in these three districts with daily in-school and take-home rations in an effort to improve school attendance. Additional activities for the project include teacher and community school management training, school gardens, school materials and supplies, and school environment improvements, including UXO clearance. The project has been preparing communities for participation in this program for the last few months and will be providing food through the coming school year.