Friends-International: Together, building futures

The ChildSafe Network: ChildSafe is working with the Lao Tourism Authority, as well as the Hotels and Taxi Associations to protect children in Laos.

Friends Social Businesses: Supporting vulnerable families to earn an income to support themselves, while at ensuring the sustainability of Peuan Mit programs by developing a range of income generating businesses.

Learn more about Peuan Mit
Learn more about Laos

LAO PDR
Peuan Mit Street Children Project
A program for street children, their families and their communities.

The number of street children and youth in the Lao capital, Vientiane, has been growing steadily since 2000. The country has opened up to trade and tourism and the growth in the cities attracts many children and youth from rural areas as they hope to find employment and more opportunities. Laos is the second poorest country in the Mekong, with 74 per cent of the population living on less than $2US a day.

Children in poor communities in Laos usually have to work as well as going to school to help their family. Many completely drop out of school at a very young age and some end up working in dangerous situations just to earn a living.

Friends-International has programs in Lao PDR to address these issues:

Peuan Mit in Vientiane: working with over 800 children and youth every month, this program addresses a range of issues that marginalized Lao children and families are facing.