Marist Brothers: Maryknoll Partners

The Marist Brothers and the Lavalla School

When the Marist Brothers from Australia first arrived in Cambodia, they had no definite plan in mind but wanted to work where they would be useful and where they they could continue their order's involvement with education.

The education system in Cambodia is in great disarray, and children with physical disabilities have very little opportunity to get an education so the Marists founded the Lavalla School in 1995. Patty La Mothe, a Maryknoll lay missioner, worked with them to train the teachers for the new school until her return to the US in 2000.

The school is expanding and is currently preparing to move into a new building in September, 2000. Maryknoll provided $25,000 toward the construction of the new facility located on the outskirts of Phnom Penh.

Maryknoll's providing personnel and funds to help with a program sponsored by another group is a good example of "partnering," another way of being in mission and multiplying the effects of our presence. And the Lavalla School is a good example of how your contributions to Maryknoll make a difference!

Children at the Lavalla School The Lavalla School was set up for children with physical disabilities. Most of them are victims of landmines and polio which is still a problem in Cambodia.

Patty La Mothe and students Patty La Mothe was a Maryknoll lay missioner who worked with the Lavalla School from its beginning until she returned to the US in April, 2000.

Girl in therapy Physical therapy and the providing of prostheses is part of the Lavalla program. Louise Mars, a young physical therapist from Australia, worked at Lavalla during the summer of 2000.

Boy with one arm at the school Part of the benefit afforded by the Lavalla School, in addition to providing an education, is simply recognition of each child as an individual without focusing on the disability.

Cooks at the Lavalla School Providing lunch for the students every day is another important part of the program at Lavalla.

Groundbreaking for the new Lavalla School Breaking ground for the new Lavalla School in Takmao, outside of Phnom Penh. The new school will be ready for the 2000-2001 school year.

Go to the Maryknoll Partners page
Go to the Maryknoll in Cambodia page
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	The Lavalla School was set up for children with physical disabilities. Most of them are victims of landmines and polio which is still a problem in Cambodia.
	Patty La Mothe was a Maryknoll lay missioner who worked with the Lavalla School from its beginning until she returned to the US in April, 2000.
	Physical therapy and the providing of prostheses is part of the Lavalla program. Louise Mars, a young physical therapist from Australia, worked at Lavalla during the summer of 2000.
	Part of the benefit afforded by the Lavalla School, in addition to providing an education, is simply recognition of each child as an individual without focusing on the disability.
	Providing lunch for the students every day is another important part of the program at Lavalla.
	Breaking ground for the new Lavalla School in Takmao, outside of Phnom Penh. The new school will be ready for the 2000-2001 school year.