The Direct Aid Program (DAP) of Australia Aid, Australian Embassy of Laos, provided a grant to the Xieng Khouang Museum to supply the conservation lab. We thank Ms. Marion Ravenscroft for writing the grant proposal that successfully won the funding.
The museum used the funds to purchase furniture such as steel cabinets, tables, chairs, desks, trolleys, cabinets, and stools. Equipment to use in the conservation lab was also bought with DAP Funds: different types of tweezers, magnifying glasses, gloves, and various tools. These items allow for standard collections care and analysis as well as basic conservation.
The museum is fortunate to have a large area dedicated to conservation and cannot thank enough Ms. Marion Ravenscroft, the Direct Aid Program, and staff of the Australian Embassy of Laos for this grant.
“The Direct Aid Program (DAP) is a flexible, small grants scheme for development activities, managed by the Australian Embassy in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The program aims to support projects with a strong development focus that complement Australia’s broader aid program which contributes to sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction.
DAP considers projects that:
• Promote inclusive, sustainable socio-economic development, and that complement the priority areas of Australia’s aid program in education, health, human resource development, trade and private sector development;
• Focus on youth development, women’s leadership and economic empowerment;
• Involve environmental innovative solutions;
• Enhance educational and cultural exchanges and people-to-people’s links; and
• Support vulnerable groups including the disabled, elderly and ethnic groups.”
https://laos.embassy.gov.au/vtan/direct_aid.html
To learn more about the Direct Aid Program, go to:
https://dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/direct-aid-program/Pages/direct-aid-program.aspx