Nongmay is ready for school!
7 November 2025The I Am Ready programme supports girls like Nongmay through early language, literacy, numeracy and social-emotional skills training.
For many young children in remote northern Laos, early education is simply not an option. In Phaoudom District, Bokeo, families rely on seasonal farming, and often bring their children to the paddy fields with them, because there are no childcare or pre-primary education options. Without this early foundation, children struggle when they start school — many arrive in Grade One unable to understand or speak Lao, which makes learning even more difficult.
The I Am Ready! Programme
To address this challenge, Plan Laos introduced the I Am Ready! programme, a 10-week Summer Pre-Primary Course at Mokso Primary School. Designed to give children the strong start they need, the programme focuses on developing early language, literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional skills.
Many children in this region speak ethnic minority languages at home, and thus struggle with Lao when they enter school. The programme helps them build confidence in speaking and understanding Lao, making the transition to grade one much smoother.
“I can read and write now. I also can count numbers from 10 to 20, and I enjoy singing, dancing, playing games, drawing and jumping rope with friends.“
Nongmay from Phaoudom district.
Children learn in a way that feels natural and fun, using locally-made teaching materials like tamarind seeds and tree branches for counting. Through structured activities, they learn to interact, express themselves, and gain independence — building the foundation for a successful school journey.
Meanwhile,parents — many of whom initially kept their children at home — have seen remarkable improvements. Their children are becoming more confident and eager to learn, and parents are now more likely to send them to school regularly.
Transformation through learning
For children like Nongmay (pictured above), the transformation has been life-changing. When she first joined the programme, Nongmay was too shy to make eye contact or speak. Just a month later, she was reading, writing, and confidently engaging in class. Nongmay says: “I can read and write now. I also can count numbers from 10 to 20, and I enjoy singing, dancing, playing games, drawing and jumping rope with friends. I want to be a nurse when I grow up.”
Yin Xayaphone, Nongmay’s mother, says: “After my daughter participated in the Summer Pre-primary 10-week course, she became joyful and proactive. She reads, writes, and attends school regularly. I believe that the course supported my daughter to be ready for primary school.”
“Children who attended the ten-week course are much more confident. They actively participate, share ideas, and are ready to learn. The difference is clear.”
Chanphone Phanpadith, a pre-primary school teacher.
Teachers also see the difference. Chanphone Phanpadith, a pre-primary school teacher, explains: “Children who attended the ten-week course are much more confident. They actively participate, share ideas, and are ready to learn. The difference is clear.”
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