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Adopt-a-Village-in-Laos is pleased to present a photo of a Lao family member receiving a water filter system in our ongoing distribution (and hygiene training) in the northern region of Luang Prabang province in Laos. In this round we distributed 275 systems, with a total of 525 for the year. THANK YOU for your generous contribution! The water filter photos you will be receiving are as a result of the District Matching Grant. While the subsequent award was much lower this year due to the number of applications, we were still able to purchase 13 water filter systems and will begin the main water project in Phonesavanh in the coming weeks.
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Right now the villages are enjoying Khmu New Years in their village and then join other villages over the next couple of weeks to celebrate their Khmu New Year also. Each Village celebrates on a different day so you can imagine the month long party! The first water filter picture is attached - two more to follow.
In reference to the water filters, the villagers are ecstatic although in some cases it was pretty hard to get them to smile for the photo. They are a shy people but I jokingly told them if they didn't 'Nyim' (smile), I would only give them the filter stand. This is a primarily Khmu tribe but there are some Lao families living there as well. These are the villages of Nam Khan (approximately 160 families) and Meung Xuen (approximately 110 families).
The villagers were pretty excited to say the least. The Nam Khan village chief would not let us leave until they held a Baci ceremony for us. I really didn't want to stay because we still had to finish Meung Xuen the same day and I knew I would suffer for it...and I did!
The Baci ceremony was in our honour (so we really couldn't say no) as a customary and spiritual Thank You for our generosity and those of our Canadian sponsors. The problem with Baci's is that they all end with copious amounts alcohol - both Lao Lao (distilled, home made rice whisky) and Beer Lao (Laos's most popular beer). When I am offered, as lead representative, I must take...oh man!
Lao Lao is a very strong whiskey but the alcohol doesn't last long in the system, so by the time we arrived at Meung Xuen, we were so hung over, it was a real struggle to keep the training light and fun for the villagers. Of course they insisted also that we eat at their village too and share, none other than, more alcohol. It was a real struggle because I am not much of a drinker......
Anyway, they wanted us to stay even longer but the sun was getting ready to set and we needed to get across the river before dark and begin our trip back to Luang Prabang so with a promise to return and stay longer (which means more Lao Lao at a later date along with music and dancing with all the eligible women in the village...LOL), we headed out.
Here in Luang Prabang City, the temperature was only 6 degrees a couple of nights ago (cooler in the villages!) and the villagers (and tourists) have no heat in their homes and guest houses so you can imagine the consequences. When I stayed in the village I wore everything I brought and shivered myself to sleep! I know it has been cold there as well but at least your homes are heated. I should note that this is quite unusual for the country.
It is hard to express the feeling of fulfillment we get from our hygiene teachings, water filter distribution and the resulting health benefits but rest assured that this makes a world of difference for them.
Take Care and Thank You to All of You
Steve Rutledge