Lone Rider
Blokes Who Can
During my last mapping trip to Laos I spent one day in Ban Namsanam where I participated in a small event to present new school uniforms, books and other stuff at the Ban Namsanam Primary School.
A bit of background information: Last year (2011/2012) Chris/Steve rode the Ho Chi Minh Trail during a biking holiday with the help of some friends from the Rideasia Community. While greatly enjoying the trip, the whole experience was also an eye opener to the local conditions in which the people live with the ever remaining danger of unexploded ordnance as well as the conditions of the schools and the education system. So the idea was born to return late 2012 to raise awareness and funds for the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) as well as provide basic school equipment to children in some of the schools visited during the trips (for further info see: www.motorcycle-tours-loas.org).
This write-up describes one of these activities at the school in Ban Namsanam (Khounkham/Hinboun District - N18.18616 E104.55071). The school was built with support of NorConsult which was involved in the construction of the Theun-Hinboun Hydropower project which is located about 2 kilometer from the village. The school building is planned to be upgraded shortly by the villagers themselves with materials to be provided by the Hydro Power Company
Preparing and sorting the goodies to be donated to the students, the school and the Education Department at our base the SaiNamHai resort.
The Sai Nam Hai Resort
Mr. Vongsamai Malibayphit who is the owner of the resort we stayed and who was instrumental in the selection of the school and who acted as the main coordinator during the day.
The Students, School, Education Department and Village officials
The obligatory speeches
Handing out new School Uniforms, Books, etc.
Some random pictures
After the "official" part it was time for a Basi Ceremony and Food, Drinks and Dancing
The lady who was leading the Baci Ceremony
A bit of background information: Last year (2011/2012) Chris/Steve rode the Ho Chi Minh Trail during a biking holiday with the help of some friends from the Rideasia Community. While greatly enjoying the trip, the whole experience was also an eye opener to the local conditions in which the people live with the ever remaining danger of unexploded ordnance as well as the conditions of the schools and the education system. So the idea was born to return late 2012 to raise awareness and funds for the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) as well as provide basic school equipment to children in some of the schools visited during the trips (for further info see: www.motorcycle-tours-loas.org).
This write-up describes one of these activities at the school in Ban Namsanam (Khounkham/Hinboun District - N18.18616 E104.55071). The school was built with support of NorConsult which was involved in the construction of the Theun-Hinboun Hydropower project which is located about 2 kilometer from the village. The school building is planned to be upgraded shortly by the villagers themselves with materials to be provided by the Hydro Power Company
Preparing and sorting the goodies to be donated to the students, the school and the Education Department at our base the SaiNamHai resort.
The Sai Nam Hai Resort
Mr. Vongsamai Malibayphit who is the owner of the resort we stayed and who was instrumental in the selection of the school and who acted as the main coordinator during the day.
The Students, School, Education Department and Village officials
The obligatory speeches
Handing out new School Uniforms, Books, etc.
Some random pictures
After the "official" part it was time for a Basi Ceremony and Food, Drinks and Dancing
The lady who was leading the Baci Ceremony
