How Lone Buffalo Builds Futures Beyond the Classroom

Founded in 2011, the British-registered charity Lone Buffalo is one of the very few free English-language centers in Laos. Since its inception, it has provided tuition to hundreds of young people, from ages 12 through high school graduation. Many students have gone on to tertiary education, won international scholarships, and studied at universities at home and abroad. Just like its students, Lone Buffalo has continued to develop over the years. Today, it is so much more than an English language center. There is a strong focus on dynamic life skills programs designed to help senior students grow and mature.

Lone Buffalo is located in Phonsavan, a small but developing town in the northern province of Xieng Khouang. The students’ achievements at school mean that many need to leave the area to pursue their personal educational goals. Co-founder Mark Steadman said that early on, his team recognized the importance of focusing on holistic development, not just language skills. “Getting a place at a college in Vientiane, a university in China or Vietnam, or a scholarship in the USA is truly life-changing, but for students who have grown up in rural Laos, the opportunity presents them with many challenges. English language skills are very important, but not enough to help them compete with others who may have come from more privileged backgrounds, been educated at an international school, or feel at home in the big city.”

Developing Together

To address the problem, Mark and Lone Buffalo’s Operations and Student Development Manager, Chanthala Vinthasai, implemented DevTog, a life skills program designed for the school’s senior students. Short for ‘Develop Together’, participants benefit from 18 focused development workshops ranging from CPR and first aid training to reproductive health, hygiene, and mental wellbeing, financial literacy, and advanced technology platforms. To help build confidence and creativity, it is the students themselves who present DevTog workshops.

“Many of the practical workshops, activities, and presentations are also in collaboration with external partners such as the Lao Youth Clinic, Lao Women’s Union, and the Mines Advisory Group,” says Mark.

Talk to the students, and the impact that the DevTog program has had on their lives soon becomes apparent. Miss Pavisa said, “I gained knowledge related to life skills not being taught at my school. I was empowered and inspired by my trainers and gained confidence and self-esteem.” Pavisa went on to graduate from High School, completed an internship with an international hotel group, and then won a scholarship to study International Trade in Vietnam. 

And then there is Miss Sara, who is studying a degree in International Business Management at the National University in Vientiane. She said, “I grew from being a little girl who didn’t see the importance of education into the leader and youth influencer I have now become. I would like to say a million thanks to Lone Buffalo and DevTog for saving my life!”

Football Fever

Team spirit is central to an individual’s success at Lone Buffalo. In 2021, the school founded the Lone Buffalo Girls Football Club (LBGFC). This important initiative provides an environment where girls can develop as players and coaches, build confidence, and develop leadership skills. The coaching team comprises senior alumni coaches, assisted by student coaches, all of whom have successfully completed official FIFA or Lao Football Federation coaching certification. Former Lone Buffalo coach, Miss Chua E Vue, now works at the Lao Football Federation, and Head of Coaching, Miss Phetvanee, now teaches sports at Panyathip International School in Vientiane. 

The girls’ team trains every Saturday morning from 6.30 a.m., with up to 30 percent of Lone Buffalo’s female students participating regularly. After showing their commitment to the team, players receive team uniforms and football shoes. And all the training and early mornings have paid off for the girls! This year, LBGFC won the female football competition at the Hmong New Year Festival for the second time. It was an incredible achievement considering the players were competing against adult teams, including a team of female soldiers whom they beat in the final.

From Bombs to Beans

Enterprising students at Lone Buffalo also set up and manage their own coffee co-operative to develop business skills. As well as being one of the most heavily bombed places on earth, Xieng Khouang Province has a history of producing coffee. The school brand ‘From Bombs to Beans’ is a premium 100% Arabica, grown at altitude by smallholders in the province.

How can you help?

Lone Buffalo shapes young people’s futures in rural Laos. $332 provides a student with one year of high-quality English-language tuition and development activities. You can also help by donating any amount to the school or by purchasing From Bombs to Beans coffee.

For more information, 

visit lonebuffalo.org. 

Getting there:

Lao Airlines flies daily to Xieng Khouang from Vientiane.