Covid-19 feeds child labour in Laos
The Covid-19 pandemic has increased the poverty level of Laotian families and denied the right to education of a growing number of children, pushing them into the arms of those who exploit child labour. Most of them are employed in the fields and farmland by their parents and, in the worst cases, some of the little ones start working before they even go to elementary school.
From Cambodia to Laos: A Journey of Inspiration and Purpose
Over a decade ago, a transformative trip to Cambodia ignited a flame within me, setting me on an unexpected path of discovery. It was a journey that forever altered my perspective and led me to the enchanting country of Laos. here I reflect on the profound impact of my travels, the loss of a dear […]
Education, Featured, Food, Health, Laos, Luang Prabang, Poverty, School, Travel, UXO, Volunteering
Helping victims of bomb accidents
Up to a third of the bombs dropped did not explode. In 2008, 300 people a year were injured or killed and today that figure is closer to 50. Uncleared land still poses a threat to farmers and villages and sadly people still suffer injuries today, often lost limbs or eyesight.
Exhibition, Health, Laos, Luang Prabang, Poverty, Travel, UXO
Making Change in the Mekong
Film for Change Aotearoa New Zealand produced this short film about my volunteer work in Laos establishing computer education programs to raise awareness of opportunities to support sustainable, grass-roots education efforts in Laos to help improve people’s lives a little. I volunteer with Lao teachers to provide free education, scholarships and hardship support for impoverished […]
Community Development, Development, Education, Featured, Follow-your-dream, Laos, Luang Prabang, Monks, Poverty, School, Video, Volunteering
Rural villages need more books
I joined in a visit to a remote village school to take them books. The Luang Prabang libary runs a book bag program at the library on the night market street. People can purchase books and put them in a bag and when there are enough they are taken to a village. The books are […]
Community Development, Donation, Education, Laos, Luang Prabang, Poverty, School
Novice Bountay and his village school
Novice Bountay is an inspiring person. He has been a student at LEOT (a free charity school) for 2 years now and excels in our computer class. Like other Novices, he goes to Buddhist high school each day and somehow manages to find time to study English, photography and a number of other interests. Read […]
Donation, Education, Festival, Laos, Luang Prabang, Monks, Poverty, School
See what happens to this little girl
I love this three-minute video that reminds us of the pleasures in life. It always brings a wee tear as I see the impact this mans simple generosity has had on people’s lives – especially the little girl who was finally able to go to school. Too many people live in these harsh situations and […]
Lao teenagers beating poverty as novice monks
Many of the students at the school I work at in Luang Prabang are novice monks. It is certainly a sight to behold – a classroom bathed in bright saffron robes beneath a sea of shaved heads (and eyebrows). People outside Laos find it interesting as to why so many novice monks come to school without […]
Beware the voluntourists intent on doing good
The term voluntourism refers to the growing phenomenon of individuals travelling to developing countries to carry out volunteer work. They go for a week or two for a “project” — a temporary medical clinic, an orphanage visit or a school construction. Many go to teach English during high school, college vacations or during an OE/gap year. […]
Development, Food, Laos, Poverty, School, Video, Volunteering
Weekend trip to village to give donated items
On Saturday volunteers and teachers travelled to Nam Nga village 90 mins north of Luang Prabang to see how we can help with their water supply, leaking roof and toilets at their village school. We also gave out the clothes, toothbrushes, books and stationery we collected. We had lunch with the headman and school director […]
Skill gap hurdle as Laos attracts Southeast Asia’s spotlight
This article posted this week highlights the importance of Lao people getting the right education and opportunities for advancement – the very goal of my work in Laos. Article taken from the Financial Express, 6 August 2016 The chance to tap into the promise of increasing prosperity and spending power among the 600 plus million […]
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 […]
Making change in Laos through video
It is great to ready about Any who after growing up in California has moved to Laos and bit by bit effective change through sharing her stories. She began by making films, and soon realised that storytelling in all its forms would be the key to change. Amy focuses on on how non-profit organisations and the […]