The 2017 Wasabi Golf Tournament was a huge success with over 120 golfers participating at the Glendale Golf course on September 12. The weather was marvellous, and the participants had a great time. 

Golfers snacked on crab dumplings at Hole #8, and delicious spring rolls at Hole #15, courtesy SKL! At the reception, tournament participants enjoyed a typical Lao dessert - banana leaf flavour sticky rice served with fresh mangoes, steamed coconut milk and ice cream. 

SKL was proud to be part of the impressive silent auction, providing a table for 8 at the Taste of Laos dinner next spring. 

Special thanks to the many participants who gave generously knowing that the proceeds of the tournament and every additional donation go to the construction of the Na Yè School. SKL is most grateful to The Wasabi Group members and volunteers for their extraordinary support!

SKL is pleased to confirm our 8th school construction in Laos. The village of Kangxé in Savannakhet province is located in one of the most underserved regions in the country. The existing school is in serious disrepair and too small to accommodate all the children in the village. Working with our donors, SKL will build a new five-classroom school which means every child in the village can attend their local school. The Kangxé project includes building new sanitary washrooms, installing electricity, a deep well water pump, and furnishing the school.

OUR EXCEPTIONAL PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WASABI GROUP MEANS THE VILLAGE OF NA YÈ WILL GET A NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL!

In an unprecedented gesture of generosity, the Wasabi Group, friends and families have committed to building a school in rural Laos. Wasabi Group's inaugural golf tournament in 2016 was an outstanding success. It launched an amazing fundraising initiative which will result in the construction of a new school in Na Ye, a village in Phatang District, Laos. A three-hour drive north of Vientiane capital city, this village is growing quickly with an influx of ethnic Highland people. Their four-room dilapidated school houses 138 students in grades 1-5. They desperately need a new school.

Wasabi Group has pledged to build a new 5-classroom school for the children of Na Ye! The proceeds of the 2017 golf tournament will help to build this school which will cost approximately $55,000 CDN.

A big thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered at or made a donation to "Taste of Laos 2017"!

The event was sold out and those in attendance celebrated the 10th anniversary of the founding of SKL. We honoured long-time donors, recognized those who have been "behind the scenes" since the beginning and enjoyed the accomplishments embodied in six schools in Laos. And of course, everyone savoured the incredible, authentic Lao dishes prepared by our expert chefs!

Visit the photo gallery to see photos of this wonderful evening!

To finance projects in Laos, the SKL Inc. (School for Kids in Laos Inc.) organisation is holding its annual banquet on Saturday, 6 May, at the community hall of the precious-blood church. It's a financing activity. We'll serve lao dishes. And we have a sample. Seetha Phanlouvong, Treasurer of skl (school for children in Laos) François Tremblay, President and colleague.

Radio Canada Video Interview - Click above

In 2007, a small group of people looking to make a lasting difference formed a unique charity called "School for Kids in Laos". Most were expatriates wanting to create a brighter future for disadvantaged children in Laos...

Celebrating A Decade of Helping Disadvantaged Children in Rural Laos

The mission of this new charity was simple: to build schools in poor, rural areas of Laos. The group worked hard, gained status as a registered Canadian charity and never looked back. The charity was started by volunteers and to this day, is run by volunteers, donating their time and talent to ensure schools get built. Donors know that every dollar they give goes directly to building a school.

The first school was completed in 2008 and on December 15, 2016, SKL's sixth school was officially opened. SKL's success is based on the strong support of individuals, foundations and businesses around the world. Donations come from the USA and the UK, Australia, Beijing, Singapore, and across Canada.

SKL School Facts

• schools are located in 4 different provinces and one capital municipality in Laos
• average time to fund a school = 18 months
• average time to build a school = 6 months
• number of children benefiting from SKL schools = more than 640

Most of the facilities built :

• have dual usage functioning as learning places and community centers
• are fully furnished, with sanitary washrooms, deep well water supply and electricity
• incorporate ecological considerations to minimize environmental impact (e.g. repurposing materials, tree planting)
• include a structure management plan emphasizing post-construction maintenance

Thanks to all our amazing donors who contributed to Na Chantai school. You have taken us to the top in this fundraising campaign, donating an amazing $78,000! As always, 100% of donations go to the construction of the school and furnishings.

Thank you for your support

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In 2015, Cho Venevongsa of the Wasabi Group discovered SKL as he searched for a way to help children in Laos, his mother's home country. SKL's mandate matched perfectly with his aspirations.

Wasabi/SKL Partnership Takes Off!

With his family members, friends and business associates, Cho hosted a very successful golf tournament in 2016 with all proceeds coming to SKL. The event opened up a whole new world for Cho's circle of friends and resulted in several significant donations for SKL. Fully embracing SKL and the work done in Laos, the group committed to holding another golf tournament in 2017 with proceeds coming to SKL.

In an unprecedented and truly philanthropic gesture, Cho pledged to raise $75,000 to fund an entire school in Laos! This amazing contribution means, with hard work and strong support from our long-time, loyal donors, SKL can build a second school in 2018!

Opening two schools in one year is a challenging commitment but a worthy goal to celebrate the 10th Anniversary! Stay tuned for more details about the communities selected for schools in 2018!

Join us as we celebrate the legacy you have created in Laos. Your past support has created a foundation for a brighter future for hundreds of students and their families, giving them hope and encouragement to succeed.

Join us on May 6 as we introduce you to SKL's anniversary projects. Celebrate 10 amazing years of making the world a better place with delicious Lao cuisine, a retrospective of your support and more!

Seating is limited and advance reservations are required so don't delay! Last year, the dinner sold out.

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Taste of Laos Fundraising Banquet
Enjoy authentic Lao cuisine

Saturday, May 6 2017
Doors open: 6:00 pm
Dinner: 7:00 pm

Authentic Lao Dinner Served
Handicrafts Sale and Art Sale

Proceeds go to build a school in Laos
Reserve Your Seat!

School for Kids in Laos Inc.
A volunteer-based charity organization
CRA registered charity B/N: 830245411RR0001

* Alternatively, tickets can be purchased in cash or cheque by calling 204-960-3824

SOLD OUT

As young men in Laos, Ken Phanlouvong (SKL founder and current Vice-President) and four close friends, attended the same school, Lycée de Vientiane. After graduating, they split up, settling in different parts of the world. Life would bring them back together many years later.

Lycée de Vientiane 1978 Alumni - SKL Founders and Donors

The friends met on November 5th, 2007 and locked themselves in a Toronto hotel. Their goal was to create an organization to raise funds to build schools for children who lack basic learning facilities in poor rural regions of Laos.  They had four days.

At the end of the third day, School for Kids in Laos was born and subsequently incorporated in Manitoba on November 29, 2007.

These creative, caring citizens who founded School for Kids in Laos are:

Inpone Luangaphay,  Surrey, BC, Canada
Thaviseuth Phouthavong, London, United Kingdom
Khamsy Syluangkhot, San José, California, USA
Sensoury Mounivong, Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Now SKL has receives support, not only from the founders, but also from other Lycée de Vientiane’78 alumni members from Canada, USA, Australia, UK, France, Germany and Laos.

SKL's sixth school project in Ban Na Chantai opened officially on December 15, 2016. Located in the district of Savannakhet in southern Laos, Ban Na Chantai's old school was in severe disrepair...

SKL School Project #6 Opens in Ban Na Chantai

The community was very grateful to be selected for a new school and collaborated by participating in various labour-intensive stages of the construction. Because of the remote location, SKL's Lao builder, his family, and employees set up living quarters at the job site. The school was constructed in 5 months at a cost of $75,000. The village has signed a commitment to maintain the building and keep it in good repair for future generations.

An enthusiastic contingent of SKL representatives and donors travelled to the village in December to participate in the opening celebrations. Many thanks were shared and friendships renewed with people travelling from as far away as England, Canada, USA and Australia. The opening ceremony was inspiring as always and representative of the warm hospitality of the Lao people. We came away with many blessings.