Lone Buffalo Laos NGO January 4, 2023 LONE BUFFALO PHONSAVAN LAOS NGO A super brief introduction and snapshot to the wonderful programs within Lone Buffalo, located in Phonsavan, Laos. Mission Impact Video FAQs LONE BUFFALO LAOS NGO A super brief introduction and snapshot to the wonderful programs within Lone Buffalo. Mission Impact Videos FAQs Lone Buffalo and Social Cycles We’re proud to connect with Lone Buffalo in Phonsavan, Laos, and empower socially conscious travellers the opportunity to learn more about the incredible programs offered in rural Laos. Social Cycles believes that the best way to truly understand a country and it’s culture is to simply ask questions to local experts. The opportunity to speak directly to co-founder Mark Steadman is a priceless opportunity to be inspired by local heroes. Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on linkedin Share on whatsapp Share on email What challenges are Lone Buffalo trying to solve? Lone Buffalo are one of very few free English centres in Laos, providing up to 250 students with structured English tuition from 12 years up to finishing high school. The project goal is to provide English and life skills training, enabling students to continue with tertiary education, thus improving the lives of their families and community.Students have set up their own coffee co-operative to develop business and entrepreneurial skills. The Lone Buffalo Student Media team have produced over 54 short films promoting creativity and tackling social issues. Develop Together (DevTog) provides 6 months of weekend life skills workshops for senior students. ‘Power Her Up’ is Lone Buffalo’s student-led Female Development Program. The Girls Development Team organise regular workshops and presentations for their peers and girls manage their own football coaching program. Since the project began in 2018, big gains in confidence and ambition among females have been recorded. History: How and why Lone Buffalo began... Manophet ‘Lone Buffalo’ was a selfless man who dedicated his life to helping others. His days were spent working with Unexploded Ordnance clearance teams or guiding guests around his town and province. Evenings were spent teaching English to as many people as he could cram into a tiny classroom in his house. At weekends he worked on developing his football team, one that he believed were good enough to compete in Europe.Manophet died suddenly in 2010, just months before his team competed in the Gothia Youth Cup in Sweden.His commitment to helping others inspired us to start the Lone Buffalo project in his memory. Several of our teachers and football coaches learnt their English from Teacher Manophet. Today they continue to pass on his values and wisdom to a new generation of ambitious students. Many other students who Manophet taught have now graduated from university and have careers and dreams of their own. Every new student that joins Lone Buffalo is told about who Manophet was, what Lone Buffalo means to us – and what we expect from them to honour his legacy. Impact: 5 Key Facts $288 cost to provide a student with 1 year of English Tuition and life skills development activities85% of Lone Buffalo English students go on to attend tertiary educationMore than 1000 young people have benefited from free English tuition and development activities at the centre.122 packs of Bombs to Beans coffee sold in 20226 awards won at International Youth Film-making festivals Check out more 2022 impact stats from Lone Buffalo The videos that explain everything Fast Facts Most frequent questions and answers What programs do you run? English tuition classes for approx 250 students at any one time.“Power Her Up” program promoting female development and empowerment.Lone Buffalo Girls Football Club- student led coaching for female students.Creative Media- video production training Coffee Co-Op- promoting business and entrepreneurial skills Develop Together- Weekend life skills workshop for senior students. How big is the NGO? Lone Buffalo is a registered UK charity. Mark Steadman heads a local leadership group of only four people, including Mark. Lone Buffalo has a number of volunteer professionals involved in the project who offer advice on finance, media, safeguarding and business development. Additionally parents, alumni and students all play important roles in the governance of the project. How are you funded? 56% private donations, 16% Embassy grants, 15% class supporters program, 7% corporate teaching. What difference would a US$150 donation make? $150 provides a monthly wage and training for a newly graduated teacher to participate in Lone Buffalo’s teacher development program. What difference would US$1000 make? $1,000 provides a class of 25 students with a textbook and a workbook with online learning content. Alternatively, it would fund 5 electronic tablets for our Barrier Free learning Program. Connect Directly to Lone Buffalo Website Donate Page Facebook Email Share this story Share on facebook Facebook Share on whatsapp WhatsApp Share on twitter Twitter Share on linkedin LinkedIn Share on google Google+ Share on stumbleupon StumbleUpon Share on email Email Got a question? Get in touch Name Email Message Send Related reading The best cycling route from Vientiane to Luang Prabang Laos Read More » Short term volunteering opportunities abroad Read More » Top things to do in Luang Prabang, Laos Read More » Friends International NGO- Cambodia Read More » Send me the Laos itinerary Name Email Please send me the itinerary! Your privacy is safe. We do not use emails for spam. Brett Seychell +61 479 108 222 [email protected] Hub, 696 Bourke St, Melbourne 3000 about us How we started Our purpose Your donations Responsible travel Meet the team NGO partners Private adventures Corporate teams Self guided destnations Cambodia Laos Iran Samoa Vietnam Mongolia Colombia connect Name Email Let's stay in touch Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin Youtube responsibletravel recommends Social Cycles Brett Seychell +61 479 108 222 [email protected] Hub, 696 Bourke St, Melbourne 3000 connect Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin Youtube Name Email Let's stay in touch!