Village development in the Lao PDR Case Study Teacher's Notes Student Activities Read the case study, Village Development in the Lao PDR up to Achievements of Phases One and Two. Locate the Lao PDR, neighbouring countries and main rivers and population centres. Find the Sayaboury and Bolikhamxai Provinces. Research the climate, physical features and economy of the Lao PDR. List the problems which the people of the Lao PDR, especially those living in the south, have faced. How are government policies affecting the poorest villagers? Consider both positive and negative effects. Give reasons why it is important for the Australian Government to support village development in the Lao PDR. Consult a dictionary to find the meaning of "swidden". Read the remaining sections of the secondary case study, Village Development in the Lao PDR. Complete the following table: Achievements of phases one and two of the Integrated Village Development Project Strategy Benefits Loans for buffaloes, rice and agricultural tools and the construction of irrigation systems   Decrease in the amount of rice paid as interest   Raising poultry and fish and growing fruit trees   Construction of wells, gravity feed systems and latrines   Reducing the amount of work done by women and children   Loans for income generating activities   Which people benefited least from Phases One and Two? Why was this so? Explain the problems which were identified during those phases. Describe the skills which will be developed during Phase Three of the project. Explain why these are important skills for people in the poorest villages. Top © Commonwealth of Australia