Covid: closing, holding on, reopening

In March 2020, the coronavirus hit the whole world. In France, the situation was getting worse. In Laos, some schools were already closing. On 14 March, NK Seeds made a difficult decision: to close its office in Nong Khiaw and stop its activities for a few weeks. Part of the team went home, waiting for things to improve. The association could no longer welcome volunteers.

But the school did not stop completely. The local teachers stayed in Nong Khiaw and kept teaching English to the children, as long as it was possible. The team, for its part, kept working for the association online. As early as 1 April, it said so clearly: no question of being discouraged. It was preparing its return, and invited anyone who wanted to help, even from afar, to get in touch.

Weeks turned into months. In August, the school was still closed. To keep in touch, the team shared photos from the previous year on Instagram. Teaching and volunteering bring happiness into their lives, they wrote, and they missed the school and the children more than words could say.

On 8 September 2020, the good news came: NK English School reopened its doors. It welcomed back its former students and newcomers for a new school year. The association thanked Tee and Noah, the teachers who kept the English classes going throughout this difficult period. A month later, the students were well and truly back in class.

Laos' borders, however, remained closed. The school held on thanks to those who were there.