RRDTC was formerly the Training Unit of the Quaker Service Laos (QSL). Around 2002 QSL encouraged and supported the training unit to set up a Lao Non-Profit-Association (NPA). Following attempts to register under the Education Department, RRDTC was licensed by LUSEA in 2004 as the second NPA in Lao PDR.

In May 2005 RRDTC rented its own premises away from QSL, and by September 1, 2005 RRDTC was managing its own work plan and financial system. 2005 to 2006 RRDTC spent much time on organizational development, strategic planning, development of job descriptions, revision of by-laws and policies, financial system development and recruited some key staff. RRDTC also continued to provide its Public Training courses and fulfill its contract obligations for commissioned trainings according to its target groups’ needs (NPAs, INGOs, government counterparts).

In 2007 RRDTC secured funding from Bread for the World and the McKnight Foundation, which has allowed RRDTC to run its current program of training and related activities. In 2008 RRDTC set up a research unit within RRDTC and recruited a National researcher to run the unit’s activity. Currently, RRDTC has 10 staff with three main units: training unit, research unit and admin unit.

"RRDTC is a professional, highly recognized NPA, delivering specialized and innovative capacity development services for equitable community development throughout Lao PDR in partnership with civil society, local government and like-minded development partners".

 

Based on participatory development principles, we are guided by our target groups' and relevant stakeholders' needs. We recognize trainees' diverse experiences working in community development and that all trainees have a lot to share and learn from each other.

RRDTC contributes to the enhancement of national human resources in Lao PDR through action research, the development of Lao context curricula based on field experience and on the provision of quality training courses designed to upgrade and strengthen social and technical capacity for participatory and sustainable community development.

RRDTC will improve the capacity & sustainability of rural community development for Lao & ethnic minority communities in Lao PDR. We will do this by working in a participatory manner with Lao and international organizations, provincial and district counterparts, mass organizations, citizen groups and individuals.

 

1)      Capacity building on community development of Lao & International organizations, Government (provincial & district) counterparts, mass organizations and citizens, through quality training and associated activities such as curriculum development appropriate for Lao PDR; 2)      Provision of action research and pilot projects which value local knowledge and focus on sustainable community development; 3)      The creation, collection and dissemination of information about community development using information technology, networking and operation of a community development resource centre; and 4)      The successful operation of a permanent sustainable Lao Not for Profit Association and sharing this organizational development knowledge with other NPAs

Title:                RRDTC Executive Committee Chairperson

                        Permanent Secretary of National Science Council,

Secretary General of Lao Union of Science and Engineering Associations

Name:             Ms. Jacquelyn Chagnon

Title:                RRDTC Executive Committee Member

                        American Friends Service Committee

S.E. Asia Quaker International Affairs Representative

Title:                RRDTC Executive Committee Member

                        Head of Development, Vientiane Lao Women’s Union

 

Mr. Sisavath Chanhthaleuxai (Lao Loum): Management Team Leader, Training Development role, MSc (Engineering) Tashkent University, Uzbekistan, USSR, started work July 2006 Specialist in micro hydropower. Sisavath was project manager for RRDTC’s Environmental Law for the People project which was participatively developed from scratch with the support of the Canada Fund. He also acts as trainer besides his management duties. From 2003 – 2005 Sisavath was the Deputy Team Leader (Social/Community Development Specialist) of the Community Awareness and Participation Program ( CAPP) for the ADB project Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project  (WSSSP), Department of Housing and Urban Planning, MCTPC. He established Water and Sanitation Associations (WATSANS) in each village of 15 subproject towns, trained extensively  on sanitation awareness, hygiene and the revolving fund for sanitation, designed handbooks and prepared the Community Awareness and Participation Program for the whole project life to raise the community people participation in the project design, planning, implementation, operation and maintenance for sustainable development.  Prior work experience includes working as National Consultant for Management Models’ Development and extensive experience in socio-economic surveys.  

Mr. Kongthong Yuapua (Hmong): Financial Officer, A Bachelor Degree in Accounting from the University of Finance and Accounting in Hanoi and also  a trainer. He speaks English, Vietnamese, Thai, Lao and Hmong. Between 2003 and 2006 he worked as Head of the Rural Economic Unit, Handicap International France. He worked as micro finance expert, working on credit funds for villages, animal banks, and participative community study, participatory project decision making and implementation. He also has 13 years planning, financial and accounting experience with Lao Telecommunication and its predecessor organizations.

Ms. Phetsakone Somphongbouthakanh (Lue): Management Team Member, currently pursuing Gender Studies in Chiang Mai, will be back w/ RRDTC by 09/2010.

 

 

Mr. Vongphouma Outhongkham (Lao Lum): Training Manager, agriculture and TOT specialist, BSc (Mathematics) NUOL and BSc (Agriculture Extension) Sukhothai Tamatelat, Thailand, started work June, 2005. 2 years as Assistant Trainer with Participatory Development Center Training (PADECT) mainly in organic farming and other projects supervisor, 5 years as Animator, Health Awareness worker and Community and Training worker at grass roots level with Action NORD SUD (Handicap International Organization) food security project in Savannakhet, Programme Officer and trainer with RRDTC from 2005 up to date. He has expertise in the full range of RRDTC courses.

 

Ms. Phetsopha Sengsouvanhkham (Lao Lum):Trainer, Leader, Maternal and Child Healthcare project in 25 difficult to access upland ethnic villages in Phongsali and trainer, Nursing Diploma (Vientiane, Laos) and Certificate of Nursing Training, Chulalongkorn University, Muktahan, Thailand, started work July 2005. After extensive experience as a nurse, Phetsopha taught for 6 years in the Savannakhet Senior Medical School teaching gynecology, communications and hygiene. She then worked for 5 years with Handicap International France as an facilitator/moderator and health publicist (including malaria, HIV/AIDSs, environment, water supply, diarrhea, mother and child extension and other subjects related to health services.  Since coming to RRDTC she has trained Training of Trainers courses and gender courses among many others, worked using Local Knowledge techniques in Bokeo.

 

Ms. Keomany Philavong (Lao Lum): Trainer, Graduated from from Kaset- Nabong Uvniversity. She started to work for RRDTC in August 2008. She has experience in conducting training on a wide range of topics such as TOT, Report writing, Project Management and data gathering and analysis. Moreover, she has extensive experience to rural areas in Laos to conduct training for the local communities especially in the northern and southern parts of Laos.

 

Ms. Soutsada Chanthasiri (Lao Lum): Trainer, Certificate in Management of Adviser level Institute for Training on Rural Development, Netherlands , 1997; Diploma in Psychology and Education,   VIENTIANE INSTITUT UNIVERSITY, LAO PDR, 1990; w/ RRDTC since June 2010. Has long experience as Facilitator and Community Development Consultant for MAG, TACDO, PADETC and others.