Laos US: Obama regrets ‘biggest bombing in history’ – BBC News
Barack Obama announces a major funding boost for the removal of unexploded US ordnance in Laos though some question what real difference it can make. Source: Laos US: Obama regrets ‘biggest bombing in history’ – BBC News
Boat Racing Festival in Luang Prabang, Laos 2016
In Luang Prabang, Boun Suang Heua, or the Boat Racing Festival is held on Khao Padapdin, the Day of the Commemoration of the Dead (in August usually but this year it was yesterday on 2 September). In Vientiane Capital it is held the day after the End of Buddhist Lent. Both are important social and […]
America’s shame: The unspoken danger of Lao’s hidden bombs
It was learning about UXO, originally in Cambodia (2010) and then Laos (2011), that is one of the motivators if me becoming involved with my volunteer work. If you don’t know what happened, here is a brief article about the problem. Article by Dung Phan 21 Aug 2016 It was a cold day in Laos, and huddled around […]
Thanks for donating
I wouldn’t be able to do this volunteer work without support from others. The support of my IT clients allowing me e to work remotely and that of family and friends. I spend a lot of time gathering things that maybe old to us but of use to those struggling in Laos. This year, in addition to some […]
Elephants in Luang Prabang for new year
It is Lao New Year now (Pimai), one of the most important dates in the Lao calendar. Although officially a three-day festival in Luang Prabang, the party always goes on for at least a week. Officially the last day of the year, 13th April is traditionally a day of renewal, the main symbol of which is […]
Without mindfulness film
“Without Mindfulness” a short film made at the summer filmmaking workshop @ My Library won first prize at the Vientianale film festival last night! Congratulations to the filmmakers novice Mai Latanavong Novice Bouasy, former Novice Somjai Soulivongvang and Novice Touly, and the others who helped: Vanhxai Thor Zua Lee Leeoneyang Yang and Youa Lao. Congratulations […]
Magical Laotian Town Preserved by UNESCO Loses Its Soul
This article by DENIS D. GRAY: AP has been posted on so many sites including NZ news media. There is a lot of truth to this. it is sad that locals are gone and their places taken by outsiders and foreigners. I feel that foreigners living in Luang Prabang seem to respect the local customs and […]
Death of a school student
Today has been a very sad day with the news of the death of one of the school students. We all realise that life can be snatched away very quickly in the developing world yet we still reel against its unfairness. Novice Luk celebrated his 21st Birthday just a few days ago. He was a […]
How Roche enabled me to setup computer teaching in Laos
In early July Peter a trustee of the charity school in Laos, spoke with me and asked if I was able to spend a few months in Laos to establish permanent computer teaching programme. I agreed to try and work something out and only days later I woke to a swollen arm and was admitted to […]
Luang Prabang temples
Luang Prabang has 33 Buddhist temples. This short video is of some smaller less glamorous temples than Vat Xieng Thong for example. Sit back, relax and take in the peacefulness of Luang Prabang, Laos.
Delivering aid to three villages decimated by flash flooding
On Saturday, teachers and volunteers from school in Luang Prabang joined friends from a Laos organisation Education and Sharing to deliver aid to three villages decimated by flash flooding at the end of the monsoon season. The villagers had no warning of the impending disaster as it had not rained for many days. Four people […]
September in Luang Prabang
I have been busy everyday helping at school, setting up computers for the new computer teaching programme and other IT administration tasks. Laos is deeply rooted in Buddhist traditions and it does feel like time has stopped here especially in the centre where there is still a very strong colonial french feel. Last weekend I met […]
Donate your old smart phone
Do you have an unused smartphone you can donate for a student in Laos? Laos is a communist country with a population of 6.477.211 people. The GDP per capita is $2700 USD, with 67% of the population living outside of urban centers. Laos has a very young population, with a median age of 21 years. […]