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Philanthropy in Laos

Here is a hill tribe family in the town of Luang Namta. This was taken at around dusk right before they left back to their village or rural hut. From the sacks on the back of their vehicle I imagine that they came in to purchase some rice or other product, or that they were unsuccessful in selling whatever they harvested. A family like this brings in less than twenty dollars a month total, at least according to statistics and people I spoke with. They make their own clothes and stand out not only by their attire but their facial structure. They probably speak their own language as well as Laos. I had just finished my meal of white rice and fried vegetables when I noticed them. I took these photos and wrapped up 100,000 Kip in a piece of binder paper, taped it up and handed it to the mother in the back just as they were pulling away. He started the engine by cranking the shaft by hand. 100,000 Kip is equivalent to just over ten dollars, not a fortune, but a worthy gift. I had a feeling like they needed it...

This is the eldest person in a village in the Muong Province outside the town of Ban Phon. He is the one who makes judgements when they are conflicts. He is the leader along with a few other elders. He is seventy-three and this is his wife who is sixty-seven. I interviewed him with the help of a translator. To read that interview and see other pictures of the village click on the LAOS page. I gave him 150,000 Kip, the equivalent of 15 dollars or so. I told him it was a small gift from the people in America and not from me. I told him to use it for the needs of the village, for medicine, for food, for the children. He was very grateful. That is much more than he could possibly spend in one month on food and the basic necessities.

This is Khen Phetxayphone. He speaks five languages: Laos, Thai, English, and two of the hill tribe tongues. He is the tour guide for Ban Phon Savanh. I ate dinner with his wife and 4-year-old daughter one night. We ate white rice and a soup made from the green leaves of pumpkins. ìWe eat a lot of vegetables because they are cheap,î he said. It was with his help that I interviewed the leader of a local village, as well as the education of conversing with a local person.   A very kind man, if you would like to contact him his email is: kenphet@yahoo.com or kenphet@hotmail.com. You can also send him something in the mail if you wanted at: Ban Faen Village      Mueang Houn District Oudomxay Province Laos P.D.R. He is an excellent person to contact in case you ever travel to Laos. I gave him a gift of around five dollars, 50,000 Kip.