Dr. Choomjet Karnjanakesorn, General Manager of the APTERR Secretariat, along with Mr. Akinori Ando, Japanese Expert, and APTERR staff, visited Ban Fay Secondary School in Pakou district, Luang Prabang province, Lao PDR, on 17 December 2024 to participate in the rice distribution to students under the School Distribution Programme (SDP) of Tier 3.
In addition to the APTERR Secretariat, the event was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MLSW), led by Mr. Vongkham Phanthanouvong, Director General of Social Welfare Department; the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) represented by Dr. Soulaphone Inthavong, Deputy Director General of Department of Planning and Cooperation (DoPC) and APTERR Council member; and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan, led by Mr. Toshiki Tojo, Deputy Director of Grain Trade and Operation Division, accompanied by Ms. Atsuko Matsuoka, Section Chief of Grain Trade and Operation Division. Local officials from Luang Prabang province and Pakou district also participated.
Ban Fay Secondary School serves students from the local areas as well as ethnic communities. Many students come from poor families and some live in school’s dormitory due to the long distances from their homes. The APTERR rice will be served as school meals to enhance students’ learning capacities and overall health.
The SDP, initiated by Japan through Tier 3, aims to alleviate poverty among school students. This is the second implementation of the programme, following its success in the Philippines. Under the programme, 20 MT of rice will be distributed to schools in provinces of Luang Prabang, Xayyabourly as well as Vientiane Capital, benefitting nearly 1,700 students.
