Robert Anderson, Founder and International Director of CLI commented on a post of mine clarifying what CLI is and does. As not everyone checks the comments I would like to re-post an abridged version here.
Our focus is not literacy, though improved ability to read and write is a byproduct of what we do. Which is "education," broadly defined. To support the formal education system (a system that varies from nonexistent to meager to basic) we: start and support school libraries; circulate more than 100 "book bags," mini libraries of 200 Lao books each, to village schools; we build village schools; we built "dormitories' (not your image of a dorm - 100/150 students living in one looong room) for girls from remote villages to stay in so they can continue their education at district high schools.
Separate from the formal system, we supplement rural kids education via operating two Lao Children's Library Boats going to more than 100 villages along the Mekong and Ou rivers. And we have established and operate 6 Learning Centers at rural district towns that provide a mix of library, early learning, and child-youth development activities (something there is a lot of in the developed world, virtually none here.)
CLI is basically about "creating opportunity where there is little." We have done several small pilot projects in youth sports. David's role will be to build on that, using his knowledge, experience and open, caring personality to help young Lao athletes and would-be athletes develop their potential and reach for the opportunites that can result, both in sport and in other endeavors.
- Bob Anderson, CLI founder and International Director
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