THANK YOU FALANG LUANG PRABANG FOR HAVING MES ON YOUR PAGE

Recently I came across a wonderful new education project in Luang Prabang, and it’s inspired me to write about some of the special people and projects that make it their business to bring education, joy and opportunity to the young people of this town.

If you are a visitor (or resident) who loves Luang Prabang, and wants to encourage and support bright futures for its young people, then you might want to consider visiting and making a donation to the following initiatives (or volunteering at them if its appropriate).

Music for Everyone School (MES)

Director of MES, Max

The discovery of this marvelous little music school was the source of inspiration for this post. I stumbled across its website recently and, as music played such a major role in my childhood, I was eager to check it out. So I took a trip over there to find out more.

“After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music” – Aldous Huxley

The school is across the old bridge over the Nam Khan, down the road to Taohai temple.  As I entered the cooling air of the building, I was greeted by a wall of instruments, photos of smiling kids and the echoes of little Lao voices singing “You are my sunshine” wafting down the hall.  Then along came the charming director Max, who graciously gave me a tour and told me more about the school.  MES was set up by a Korean charity called Music Fun, and opened in July 2013.  It is a non-profit organisation with the aim of bringing music education and tuition to Lao children, helping local kids who love music gain access to instruments and teaching that they otherwise would not have. The school has four classrooms – 2 practice rooms, 1 study room and 1 band room – and gives basic music lessons in acoustic, bass and electric guitar, as well as ukelele, drums and piano.

Teenage girls learning ukelele

If you have music skills you can offer, the school is always on the lookout for volunteers. They also need help with fundraising and technical support, and donations are always welcome.  And if you’re curious to know why music education is so powerful, and so important and valuable for kids, then you might want to check out this link.

Entrance to MES, visitors welcome

Opening hours:

Monday to Friday
Morning: 8.00 – 11.00
Afternoon: 12.00 – 16.00
Evening: 16.30 – 19.30

Website: www.meslaos.wordpress.com
Email: mes.laos@gmail.com