How MMP began.
The Micro-Grant Mentorship Project (MMP) was developed in late 2022, during the co-founders’ tenure as Fulbright grant recipients teaching university students at the National University of Laos. The organization and its design has been greatly informed by experiences in teaching, community development, grant implementation, and other such areas of public life that the two project co-founders, Jillian Skonieczka and Doan Khue Tran, had as Fulbright scholars to Laos. As Fulbright scholars in the Faculty of Letters at the National University of Laos (NUOL) from 2022-2023, co-founders Jill and Doan Khue designed curricula and taught university-level students and young professionals at both NUOL and the U.S. Embassy in Vientiane’s American Center Vientiane. Having directly witnessed the remarkable potential, enterprise, and professional capabilities of Lao youths during their Fulbright tenure, the co-founders were motivated to create new pathways for their students’ personal and professional development.
Drawing from the team members’ diverse experiences in education and project management and armed with insights gained from extensive engagement with Lao youth and young professionals, the organization set out to bridge the gap in human resource development by empowering Lao youths with the skills, knowledge, and confidence necessary to navigate today’s globalized world. In providing young people in Laos with targeted training, practical skills in grant writing, and hands-on experience in project design and implementation, we aim to equip Lao youth with the tools needed to drive sustainable socioeconomic development in their communities. Our commitment also extends beyond instruction; we prioritize mentorship and personalized support to nurture the talents and aspirations of the youth we partner with.
By empowering Lao youth and young professionals to pursue personal and professional advancement, we envision a future where they play active roles in addressing societal needs and driving positive change. Together, we strive to create a brighter future, where every young person in Laos has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully to their communities, creating a foundation for continued collaboration and growth.
