Our Work in Laos

In Laos, The Library Project provides Reading Rooms, Reading Corners, Book Donations, and Literacy Programs to rural schools and community centers. These programs increase children’s access to books, create more opportunities for regular reading, and help students strengthen foundational literacy skills.

Our Reading Rooms provide dedicated spaces where children can explore books and develop stronger reading habits. Reading Corners bring age-appropriate books directly into classrooms and other learning spaces, while Book Donations strengthen existing collections. Literacy Programs and Training & Support help schools and community-based partners create stronger environments for reading and learning.

The Library Project also provides Capacity Building for local literacy nonprofit organizations in Laos. This support is free of charge and may include one-on-one mentoring, planning tools, fundraising guidance, program development support, and access to practical resources. By strengthening local organizations, we help build long-term, community-led literacy impact.

Literacy in Laos

Laos has expanded access to education substantially, but many children are still not developing strong foundational reading skills. UNICEF’s latest education data indicate that only around one in five students can read at the expected level by Grade 3. UNICEF describes the situation as an education-quality crisis in which increased enrollment has not consistently translated into strong learning outcomes.

Where a child lives and the language spoken at home can have an important influence on learning. Children from different ethnolinguistic groups—particularly those living in highland communities who do not speak Lao at home—face additional language barriers that contribute to lower foundational reading and numeracy skills. Geography and household socioeconomic circumstances can further widen these differences.

Challenges also increase as children grow older. UNICEF estimates that close to 450,000 secondary-school-age children are out of school. Rural and remote communities can face particular difficulties maintaining access to quality education, trained educators, learning materials, and opportunities for continued reading.

The Library Project’s work in Laos responds to these needs by increasing access to books and reading spaces in rural communities, supporting Literacy Programs, strengthening educators and local partners through Training & Support, and building the capacity of local literacy nonprofit organizations.