Vice Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Mr Savankhone Razmountry addresses the launching ceremony for "My Village Season II"

(KPL) The Early Childhood Development Television programme “My Village Season II” with new eight episodes will begin broadcasting on 18 January 2015.

            The early childhood development television program “My Village” broadcasted the first 15 episodes in 2013 through Lao National Television, Lao Star Channel and other television channels, according to Vice Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Mr Savankhone Razmountry.

            “My Village” is the first Lao holistic, interactive and inclusive television series that was created for and with young children. The television series features storytelling, educational songs, music videos, and live action, he added.

            He said the television series is based on the outcome of and talent identified at the “Innovation Communication for Early Childhood Development Workshop” that was held in Vientiane Capital in early 2012, 2013, and 2014.

            Mr Savankhone also said the aim of the initiative is to provide young children with a foundation of development skills that will help them in school and daily life. The ‘My Village’ television series is part of a larger strategy to strengthen and support Early Childhood Development Initiatives for young children throughout the country.

            “Across the entire country, children, parents and teachers will be thrilled with the news that they will able to watch Kham and Keo, Little buffalo, Little elephant, and all their friends, along with new characters in new adventures,” said Ms Hongwei Gao.

            The excitement created by the first series of My Village made people ask for more and it is with immense pleasure that we announce the start of the new series in three days, on 18 January.

            “My Village” appears simple, but it was the first interactive and inclusive television program in Lao PDR created for and with children. It was the first show created by a Lao production team in Lao aimed specifically at children in Lao PDR.

            The show successfully addresses a range of physical, cognitive, social and emotional abilities, essential to a young child’s development. A key concept used throughout the television series is ‘inclusiveness’ with girls, boys, children living with disabilities, and children from different ethnic groups participating and providing ideas.

            In Lao PDR, only about 39% of children participate in any form of organized early childhood learning activities and most of these opportunities are in urban or semi-urban areas.

            With television now reaching most communities across the country, “My Village” will reach out widely to children, including those in remote communities, so they will develop an early interest in learning.

            The launching of “My Village Season II” was held in Vientiane on 15 January, in the presence of the Vice Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Mr Savankhone Razmountry, UNICEF Representative Ms Hongwei Gao and young children.

KPL