MORE ABOUT THE LASALLIAN DEVELOPING WORLD PROJECTS

• THE STORY SO FAR
• ORGANISATION
• FINANCE - YOU CAN HELP ! 

The story so far

Lasallian Developing World Projects have operated successfully in a dozen different countries across the world. Our aim is to involve people in the schools of Britain in tackling some of the educational problems faced by people of poorer countries. Teams of young people from all over Britain take part in the overseas projects that we sponsor.

Since 1985, the Projects have sent out over 500 (mostly young) people. Many have spent their summer holiday working on a building site, taking their instructions from the local master craftsmen. In that time they have built: 48 classrooms; 2 offices for teachers; 38 dwellings for teachers and families; 2 churches and 1 multiple-services assembly hall; 5 hostels for pupils living too far from school to walk; 2 rain tanks, to save pupilsí school time spent fetching water.

We do very practical things. We have built school workshops, dining facilities, youth centres and housing for teachers. We have taught English and other subjects to students and have helped build many classrooms so that serious education could take place for year after year. We respond to invitations from the local people. We work in partnership with them at the educational needs which they identify.

As a result of our efforts we estimate that more than 2,650 children will now receive an education which they might not otherwise have received. Our work has also improved the facilities for many pupils already at school.

The benefits of the projects are mutual. We learn what life is like in the developing world, we share the many joys and some of the problems of their existence. We come to admire their desire to learn, their resilience and their generosity. The local community gains some much-needed help for its children and enjoys its personal encounter with a more caring face of the Western World.

Many young people wish to work for longer periods, of a year or more, in the Developing World. This too been arranged in various countries in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. The tasks have varied according to the talents of the individual and the work being offered. It has included the teaching of English, working with the children of families living on a rubbish tip, looking after handicapped orphans, working on farms, renovating houses, driving...

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The organisation of the projects

We are a Christian organisation which conducts projects within a Christian ethos. However, we are pleased to work for the wider community and with others who share our concerns, although their beliefs may differ. The De La Salle Brothers are a Roman Catholic Religious Order, involved in the education of youth in over 80 different countries. In 1990 the Order received a UNESCO award for its work in combatting illiteracy across the world. Their Founder, St John Baptist de La Salle (1651&endash;1719), was an educational pioneer and is the Patron Saint of Teachers.

Young people and adults work together on the projects. While abroad, we live not so much as a team, more as a community. We work on the same building site and also share the same facilities. We cook for each other, we pray together, we take one day a week relaxing together. We also visit local families. We choose small-scale, sustainable projects which suit the capacities of the local situation and where people are motivated to make good use of them. Sometimes teachers carry out projects designed to help other teachers to improve their skills.

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FINANCE -You can help!

Each young person takes responsibility for finding his or her own fare. They have to raise the money for their own fare and living expenses for a five-week stay. They also contribute to the purchase of building materials. Longer placements abroad, when requested, are arranged as far as is feasible. People who stay for a year or more will be given board and lodging but will not receive any wage.

The money for the Projects is raised in Britain and we are very much dependent on the support of those who see this unique opportunity for unskilled and often unqualified young people to contribute to development and to learn from their experience.

Any donations will be welcome. £10 a month over one year helps us build a school place which will be used year after year into the future. If you decide to help, you can be sure that your gift will go where you intend it to. ALL of your donation will be used to finance a project abroad, since administrative costs are subsidised by the De La Salle Order (Reg. Charity No. 232632). If you would like to make a donation or sponsor a particular programme or person, please contact:-