Located in southeastern Asia, west of Vietnam and northeast
of Thailand, Laos is a mountainous and thickly forested
country of about 6 million people. Of the total population,
just over half can read and write. Despite a high economic
growth rate, Laos remains a country with a primitive infrastructure.
It has no railroads, only a rudimentary road system, and
limited external and internal telecommunications. Electricity
is available in only a few urban areas. Subsistence agriculture
accounts for half of the gross domestic product and provides
over 80% of total employment.
Into
this culture, the PACTEC team has introduced an educational
project to empower the Laotians. PACTEC staff are conducting
basic English courses at the Lao Civil Aviation Training
Center in Vientiane. The students are aviation professionals
with varying levels of English ability - from elementary
to intermediate. Classes include pilots, mechanics, air
traffic controllers, electronic technicians and airport
service personnel. Once the pilots and mechanics reach an
advanced level of English, the PACTEC staff will begin aviation-specific
courses.
PACTEC is making a lasting difference in the lives of these
Laotian students. They, in turn, can make a lasting difference
in the future of their country.
