GVI Laos raises money for disadvantaged students, especially novice monks, to receive sponsored English tuition.  In addition to this however, the annual CT Challenge provides an injection of much-needed funds in support of the Lao community and temples with which we work.   

Volunteers undertaking a project during the week starting 10 June will take part in our CT Challenge.  We hope that their friends, family and colleagues, along with our past volunteers and their friends, family and colleagues and any other sympathetic patrons will sponsor our GVI volunteers and staff in our endeavours by donating to the CT. 

So...what’s it all about?  The annual challenge gets to the heart and soul of Buddhist Lao culture and Luang Prabang ritual practice.  For 5 days (teaching days Monday – Friday), in-country volunteers and staff will give alms to monks and novices.  Although this is something many volunteers elect to observe or take part in at least once during their project, our commitment to a 5 day alms-giving stint is inline with local habits; most locals, especially women, give food to the procession of passing Buddhist temple inhabitants every single day, with starts at early as 5am!