Government Shutdown
Today is the last day of teaching at the American Center until the government shutdown ends.
How This Affects Laos
Today I will judge a competition for Peer2Peer, a student-led organization at the American Center that allows Lao students to meet up and practice conversations amongst themselves. Peer2Peer also helps with the Education Fair and has mock debates for students to practice English.
Courtesy of the American Embassy
Unfortunately, since the government will shut down on Sunday, no groups can meet at the American Center until everything is resolved. The American Center will be closed to the public, so the staff will create flyers and brainstorm ideas for new interactive sessions in the meantime. Fortunately, the local staff will still be paid for their work and planning while the government is shut down. There is a Lao law that states that workers must be paid if foreign governments close temporarily.
When Everything Will Reopen
The American Center will be closed for the next week until the government reopens. I will plan lessons for when the American Center reopens, and take up some hobbies. My friend Elspeth, a Luce Fellow working for an NGO in Laos, and I are going to zumba next week. I am also going to Muay Lao on Wednesday. I will try to keep busy while the American Center is closed.