Our first teacher-training initiative was the Hoshino Project Phase I, a re-education and training program for Laotian teachers, first launched in 2003 to improve the quality of high school education in Laos. In 2004, the Hoshino Project Phase II was organized from 28 April to 4 May 2004 by the Faculty of Education, Khon Kaen University. The aim of Phase II was to improve the skills of Laotian mathematics and science teachers, and to develop teaching methods.

The goal of the Masters Degree Project for Laotian High School Teachers is to continue the philosophy of the Hoshino Project by providing further educational opportunities at the Masters Degree level to Laotian high school teachers.

The first stage of the Masters Degree Project is to cultivate the abilities of those who create teacher manuals for mathematics textbooks.

The second stage is to cultivate the abilities of those who create teacher manuals for mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology textbooks. (More details)

The Rural Ethnic Teacher Scholarship aims to support ethnic minority students studying at Teachers' Training Schools. After graduation, these new teachers return to their communities in remote areas. The chronic, nation-wide problem of a lack, in both quality and quantity, of primary school teachers is the main obstacle to providing a good education to all children equally. (More details)

The Teacher Training project provides training in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology. The project began in 2002 with the support of the East Asian Circle of Applied Technology (EACAT). The project aims to cultivate local trainers by carrying out workshops in target provinces. The training provided is to strengthen teachers’ academic skills and knowledge and pedagogical capabilities. (More details)

Generally, people in the rural areas of the southern provinces and provinces along the boarders live in poor, miserable, and unsanitary conditions. Communicable and non-communicable diseases are the main causes of child morbidity and mortality and are threatening these poor people, especially children, who are considered the most vulnerable group. The incidence of these diseases is heavily influenced by a lack of education, inadequate nutrition, lack of clean water, poor sanitation, poor housing conditions, and limited access to proper health care service. The provision of public health services and sanitary healthcare information is still out of reach for many poor minority people in many rural areas of Laos. The public healthcare system is critically short of financial and human resources, and remains dependent on external assistance. Many heath facilities urgently require physical renovation, and there is a shortage of drugs and equipments, as well as medical personnel and administrative staff. Therefore, The Primary Health Insurance Project, with the support of donors through EDF-Lao, is set up to better rural people’s health conditions in Lao PDR. (More details)

There are several projects focusing on improving the teaching-learning methodology used in Laos, especially basic educational development programs at the primary school level. To improve students’ studying capabilities, it is important to provide efficient teaching concepts in some core subject areas, especially mathematics. Improving math skills also enriches students’ systematic thinking.
Abacus education for Lao primary schools is considered one step, and a necessity towards improving children’s capabilities in mathematics thinking. The abacus can be an efficient teaching-learning tool to enhance not only the students’ thinking systems and computing skills, but also their concentration. It also can change negative attitudes towards mathematics learning. Abacus education can stimulate and create an interest for both teachers and students in mathematics teaching-studying, as well as stimulate child brain development. The Abacus Teaching Project in Lao PDR has generally encouraged all responsible parties to heighten and promote children’s brain development through abacus learning
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Approximately 50 percent of primary schools in four provinces (Khammuane, Savannakhet, Saravan, and Sekong) have insufficient textbooks and reading books for students. The Library Project, by providing library rooms, library boxes, and library bags to rural needy primary schools, has played a crucial role in promoting basic education in rural remote areas. (More details)

One School One Project (OSOP) promotes additional income generation and food production activities for students. The project provides the opportunity for students to learn practical activities for agricultural and animal raising, which can help provide food for children and teachers in poor schools and villages. (More details)

The Donor Study Trip Project is an indispensable activity emphasizing cultural exchange between local villages and Japanese donors. It is an opportunity for donors to directly give scholarships to underprivileged children and to visit project areas where scholars and their families reside.

Most trips are organized in groups upon donors' requests. However, there is an annual donor trip which is usually organized in October every year under the EDF-Lao Scholarship Project. It is a study tour; donors can join local activities and stay overnight at the villages to learn and understand rural community life and culture. The trip is organized by the EDF-Japan and operates in cooperation with EDF-Lao and Provincial Education Services (PES), the District Education Bureau (DEB), schools, and villages.