“After World Links, we have more communications with each other,” said Souvanlasy. As a training exercise, “I encourage teachers to e-mail each other, exchange pictures and just say, ‘hello.’”

In a country devoid of much technology, how did a math teacher become manager of his school’s computer lab?

“I learned the computer by myself, by book,” said Leuanglith Souvanlasy, who runs the lab at Sisattanak Secondary School on the outskirts of Vientiane. “For three or four years I have been using a computer.”

It may not seem like a long time, but Souvanlasy’s experience made him one of the more tech-savvy people at the school. As a World Links-trained lab manager, he educates teachers and students about computers, troubleshoots problems and schedules classes – a sometimes-difficult task given there are only 22 computers but about 300 students at the school.

Souvanlasy says the best part of his job is seeing how computers make students more interested in learning and make teachers more engaging and productive in their class lectures. One English teacher said her class planning time is cut in half thanks to computers. Also, communication among teachers has increased.

“After World Links, we have more communications with each other,” said Souvanlasy. As a training exercise, “I encourage teachers to e-mail each other, exchange pictures and just say, ‘hello.’”

Click here to read more about Sisattanak Secondary School and how World Links is positively affecting the community.