University Scholarship Program

Developed by John Walsh, JWOC’s first managing director, our scholarship program gives university scholarships determined by need and aptitude and in return the students donate five to ten hours a week to the JWOC projects.

This includes scouting for water well locations, collecting the microfinance loans, teaching at the language schools and providing administrative support and advice to the director.

The students are able to pick projects that are relevant to their field of study and they are truly an integral part of why JWOC is able to operate with such low overhead.

At the same time our scholarship students, because of their education and experience, are able to get well paying and highly desirable jobs after university. Click here to meet some of the students we are currently sponsoring and read what they are studying and an excerpt from their application essay.

Laos

Our Laos program started in 2008, but has taken off with leaps and bounds. To get it started Journeys Within Tour Company covered all admin costs so that 100% of donations can go to the new projects. To get these projects started our first priority was finding scholarship students that could help us in our research and be there as volunteers as we grew.

Our first six students are exemplary and jumped in head-first helping Nicole set up the language school and visit local villages to see where we were needed. The six students below all came from incredibly difficult backgrounds, often being the major income earner for their families. They also all have a thirst for knowledge and many of them want to continue in education by becoming teachers. The idea that they want to better themselves so they can then give back to their communities is a perfect fit for the JWOC model. In fact, Kim, one of our outstanding students wasn't able to get a scholarship at first as we were waiting for funding, however Kim still asked if she could dedicate her time to helping with the JWOC projects. We now are able to give Kim a scholarship and she continues to volunteer tirelessly, recently helping Nicole put a new coat of paint on the language schools…and themselves! Click here to meet the students we are currently sponsoring and read what they are studying and an excerpt from their application essay.

Give As You Go: This is a unique way to see Cambodia and Laos through a completely different view. Meet your scholarship student and go with them to see their school, their homes, discuss with them what their goals are and make a personal connection that alludes many travelers.

Price: $400 per year with a four year commitment

Meet our Laos Scholarship Students:

Khamlah ChuetengkhuleeVang
English for Business at Manivanh College
Information Technology at Souphanouvong University

“After completing school I want to make a plan to develop education in rural areas. Teach the children the way to have good lives and opportunity through education. Open a school to help poor students that want to study languages with local and foreign volunteer teachers. I am Hmong and many Hmong live in rural areas the school could help give skills to students to help the lives and the country.”

Chanthone Phabmixay
English at Pasabandith College

“I have many problems earning enough money for myself for school. I must send money for my younger sisters every month because my father can’t earn. Every day I go to school in the morning and then in the evening I serve at the restaurant. I am very tired but I get little money. It is difficult for me but I don’t worry. I will improve my education and my life will get better. I will make money to help my family till my last breath.”

Chanthanome “Kim” Chittavanh
Accounting and Marketing at Northern Financial College
English at Arda Language School

“I had to quit my English class again because my parents are poor and could not pay for my English. In my free time I usually read books in English and write English stories. When I see foreigners talk together I usually stand close to them and listen to the sound of English. It is very important for me to study English so I can get a good job in the future.”

Boua Long Ponarsa
Business/Accounting at Technical College
English at Teacher Training College (completed)

“I want to be a teacher. I love children and will teach them to be good people. I want to be the person to help teach them to study hard and have high education. Education is important for the children. The children are the people who will improve and develop the country in the future.”

SomVang Khamheang
Education at Souphanouvong University

“After I finish school I will go back to my hometown to improve education for children. In other countries in the world they have good civilization because of good education. Laos is a developing country and there needs to be better education. Education is very important for Lao and the people. I want to help to improve Laos.”