Sinxay Mentors
Side by Side: Sisters and Brothers Walking the Advocacy Journey Together
When young people are given the chance to lead, they do not wait for change - they create it. Youth Champions Laos is an ongoing initiative that supports young people to speak up, build skills, and take action on the issues that matter in their communities. The programme has so far supported more than 1,000 young people, helping them build confidence and advocacy skills to lead change in their communities.
Helping young people speak up and take action on issues in their communities takes more than a short training. It needs steady, practical support - and trusted people by their side. That is why Youth Champions uses a peer-to-peer approach. Local young leaders work alongside youth advocates as “sisters and brothers”, offering encouragement, mentoring, and hands-on guidance. Together, they create safe spaces for dialogue, strengthen confidence, and support youth to lead change in ways that are locally driven, inclusive, and grounded in real community needs.
Who is Sinxay Mentor?
A core part of Project Sinxay: Youth Champions is the Sinxay Mentors Programme. It brings together young people with strong volunteer and project experience to support youth advocates as they plan and deliver community action. The programme helps build mentors’ leadership and teamwork skills, and strengthens their ability to support youth at provincial and community level. Sinxay Mentors play an important role in guiding youth advocates - providing coaching, troubleshooting challenges, and helping them stay motivated as they carry out their projects.
Sinxay Mentors is led by UNICEF Lao PDR, in partnership with the Lao Youth Union, with support from the UNICEF International Council. The programme aims to meaningfully engage young people from diverse backgrounds across Lao PDR - listening to their experiences, understanding how social issues affect their lives, and building their skills to work with communities on solutions.
Through this support, young people are becoming champions for change across Vientiane Capital, Savannakhet, Luang Prabang, and Oudomxay provinces. After completing Sinxay Mentor cascade trainings, participants receive seed funding to launch and implement youth-led advocacy projects in their communities as "youth advocates".
Meet Our Sinxay Mentors
UNICEF/2025/Ssilichamophone
UNICEF/2025/Ssilichamophone
Viphaphone Inthavanh – Sandy
A Bachelor student at Souphanouvong University in Luangprabang, Sandy began her volunteer journey in her second year of university. She has volunteered with Zero Waste Laos, the Eco-School Project, and was a member of the winning team – Green Market – from Project Sinxay: UPSHIFT 2024. Additionally, she represented youth at the ASEAN Children and Youth Climate Summit 2025.
UNICEF/2025/Ssilichamophone
UNICEF/2025/Ssilichamophone
Forla Phoummeevan – Forla
A Twenty-year-old from Luangprabang, Forla serves as a Wellness Mentor for the Mental Health Initiative by Ekasith, our Youth Advocate in 2024. He has over nine years of experience as a Volunteer at the Luangprabang Library.
UNICEF/2025/Ssilichamophone
UNICEF/2025/Ssilichamophone
Padaphone Atvaly – Jenny
Jenny has a strong background in environmental volunteerism, actively promoting climate action and waste management since 2022 through Zero Waste Laos. She leads the winning group under the Sinxay Project: UPSHIFT 2024 – Sala Sala. Jenny is also a youth representative for the World Food Programme, attending the World Food Forum in 2025.
UNICEF/2025/Ssilichamophone
UNICEF/2025/Ssilichamophone
Tounou Chanthavongsa – Tounou
From Vientiane Province, Tounou brings over four years of experience working in youth and community development. He has been involved in youth leadership and advocacy initiatives at both national and regional levels, supporting youth capacity-building and community engagement activities.
UNICEF/2025/Ssilichamophone
UNICEF/2025/Ssilichamophone
Paiyfon Xaysanavong - Paiyfon
Paiyfon served as a ChildFund trainer from 2021 to 2023, focusing on developing life skills for youth. She is also a young environmental journalist with Econox in Savannakhet since 2022.
UNICEF/2025/Ssilichamophone
UNICEF/2025/Ssilichamophone
Khonesavanh Phandanouvong - Iew
Iew is dedicated to nature conservation and youth education, believing that empowering young people is essential to a sustainable future. In 2025, she served as an Environmental Reporter for the GAMCIL Project, sharing stories on Laos’ natural environment, and was also an Ambassador for the STEM 2024 Project, promoting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through engaging educational activities.
UNICEF/2025/Ssilichamophone
UNICEF/2025/Ssilichamophone
Mueyae Ousengkham - Mueyae
A Khmue girl from Oudomxay Province, Mueyae has volunteered with the National Disabled Persons Association and works as a Lao language teacher for ethnic youth in her community.
