Like any mother, this young woman from Lao PDR likely has high hopes for her daughter. The little girl holds a sheet with numbers and additions, maybe from an older sibling. She will soon go to elementary school and learn to read, write and count.

Lao PDR joined the Global Partnership for Education in March 2009 and has received a $30 million grant to implement its education strategy, with co-financing from the World Bank ($15.5 million) and Australia ($20.26 million)