The Km17 Library in Laos: A Solidarity Project Supported by Travelers

The Km17 Library project in Laos perfectly illustrates the spirit of responsible tourism in Southeast Asia, as promoted by SolidarAsia. Locals and travelers come together around a common goal: to provide the children of this school with a modern and functional reading space.

Located 17 km north of Oudomsay, the Km17 school complex welcomes children who sometimes have to stay in boarding schools or walk for miles to get to class. Since 2012, the library has been a true hub of social life and learning for several surrounding villages. It is where the hopes of many young readers are focused.

Thanks to the solidarity fund generated by travel, this library can be re-equipped. Travelers who choose a responsible tour contribute to this fund, which is included in the price of their stay. The idea is simple yet powerful: to allow each local community to propose a project, justify it, and actively participate, whether through materials, local labor, or financial contributions.

For the Km17 project, funds are needed to purchase new books suited to the students’ needs, as well as to repair the library’s false ceiling. This type of project has more than just a material impact: it improves access to knowledge, enhances student comfort, and creates a welcoming reading room for the entire community.

By choosing a solidarity trip to Laos or elsewhere in Asia, you directly participate in initiatives like this one. Each trip then becomes much more than just a discovery: a real contribution to the self-reliance of local communities.