Mini report-A day in Laos.

[drron]

I do promise I will get back to my current trip report but I had such a fantastic day Tuesday i felt it should be reported out of sequence.I do apologise as this day involved no air travel-only Tuk Tuk,minivan and boat.
We sponsored a "book party"through Big Brother Mouse in Luang Prabang.This is the setting up of a library in a village school.It requires a $US400 donation-paid via Paypal which I see is again accepting Amex.
The day started with a tuktuk ride down to the Big Brother Mouse shop.They were loading up for 3 book parties that day-

We took a minivan to a "port" a little south of LP-

Then waited for the executive launch to arrive-

Though i noted it wasnt quite watertight-

And across to the village-Ban tantai-note the cultivation on the banks of the mekong-

And into the village-

To be continued with more pics.

 

[drron]

Now it is easy to see that this village isnt rich.Their temple-

And on to the school-

And the kids quaranteed to melt any heart-

They greet you,sing some songs and then a drawing session.This fellow had talent-

This one is the class imp-

The kids were then taught new songs and drron brought the house down with his attempt at Laotian dancing.Then it was outside to play games.That with more photos next.

 

[drron]

With the games the winners got a book.For the worst losers it was an unusual end-they had to douse their faces in powder-

And these little urchins followed me around mimicking my every move-

Back inside and every child could choose a book of their own,my job was to give each child 3 sheets of A4 paper as they went outside.It brings things into perspective when you see the joy that this tiny gift brings to them.

I bought some extra books on Australia to give to the teacher and the head of the village-

And here we are all together-

One more post but it will be after happy hour.I will give details of this scheme.The rewards are priceless.

 

[mm472]

Great Work drron,,,

Amazing how the simplest of things , can bring so much joy,


Thanks for sharing !

 

[meloz]

I'm starting to think you are following me.

I was at the REP Meridien a week before you. My second stay there and I also think it's a great hotel. I then flew to LPQ for my third visit, a magical town. We did however end up in different villages.

If you want a laugh next time, take 2 large bags of lollies to the village and watch the chaos the sugar high creates with the kids in these remote places.

Meloz

 

[drron]

I'm starting to think you are following me.

I was at the REP Meridien a week before you. My second stay there and I also think it's a great hotel. I then flew to LPQ for my third visit, a magical town. We did however end up in different villages.

If you want a laugh next time, take 2 large bags of lollies to the village and watch the chaos the sugar high creates with the kids in these remote places.

Meloz

Well if you were in BKK last week then yes I am!
Now here is the rest.First of all the preschooler who wanted to come in and sit next to me.tell me you could resist those big brown eyes-

The days program also included picture stories that gave practical advice such as drinking boiled water.also we took orange juice and snacks that were given to the kids-

Here is the teacher-

Because of our gifts we had lunch in the village-this is for 5-

fortunately going back the boat was repaired-with fresh mud-

Of course kids are kids everywhere so bare-ar**d in the Mekong is to be expected-

So those of you who are considering going to Laos consider this-the payment you receive in kind far outweighs the monetary cost.Unfortunately this only addresses the early problems of education.Few of the village children even go on to secondary school as that requires a daily commute into Luang Prabang.For more distant villages this is basically impossible.Then comes College which costs 900000 Kip ($A140) per year plus board and lodging.For University it is 1300000 Kip per year($A175).These amounts are basically unacheivable for village kids.There is however a fellow from this village that is studying law at Uni.To do this his family sold the buffaloes.So to survive he and his family work for others in the mornings and he goes to uni in the afternoon.Dedication!
Of course the prospect of a computer for each kid is pie in the sky.The village doesnt have one at all.So if you wish to help this is where to get info-
Big Brother Mouse - Books in Laos
Hopefully I can do more.Thanks for considering.

 

[dajop]

Great Work drron,,,

Amazing how the simplest of things , can bring so much joy,


Thanks for sharing !

+1. Great report, and great photos. Puts life into perspective I imagine.

 

[huwcar]

Paypal which I see is again accepting Amex.

Sorry to derail slightly...

Really? Is that via the ".au" site? Doesn't show up as an option for me...

-huwcar

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Thanks very much drron for sharing a marvelous report. what a great organisation they seem. Well done for getting involved!

I've been only to vientiane but meaning to get to LP for a long time.

 

[BAM1748]

Thank's for sharing that, most enjoyable. (and of course eye opening, sitting in an office overlooking Darling Harbour you forget quickly what others go through every day)

 

[drron]

Sorry to derail slightly...

Really? Is that via the ".au" site? Doesn't show up as an option for me...

-huwcar

Sorry I just went by this report-
http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...aypal-australia-now-accepting-amex-19769.html
But reading it it does seem hit and miss.As a user of DC i rarely read the Amex threads.On paypal I use my backup Visa.

 

[meloz]

Well if you were in BKK last week then yes I am!

I was indeed.

Meloz

 

[serfty]

I was indeed.
...

Which runway was your baby ...?

 

[thewinchester]

Thanks for the trip report drron, a pleasure to read and great to see that you've been able to do something positive for a community that needs a leg up.

 

[meloz]

Which runway was your baby ...?

3 transits so I almost used them all.

 

[drron]

I am making a step forward in technology.I have now posted to youtube.I have 2 videos,excuse the quality-
YouTube - book party laos 2
YouTube - book party laos 1
So now you can hear the kids singing-just as well that I am not on these clips.

 

[craven morehead]

Tremendously inspiring report drron :mrgreen: