Daring to change the World!
Whenever I go to Laos, I think it will be the last time…
There are still so many places around the World to be seen, I was only supposed to revisit Don Khon for one longer holidays to teach English and learn Lao and nothing long-term or charity project-like has ever crossed my mind. But then, through a pure coincidence of events, just because at that time I was changing jobs and I had to organise a farewell drink, I decided to build a bathroom in a school in Laos instead of getting a farewell present.
And when I returned to the island to finalise the construction, I realised that the bounds I had created previously, were strongly rooted in this remote society, that the kids were waiting for another English course, that washing hands saves lives and that there is so much more that can be done and that actually what I do, really matters. My heart could not resist these numerous tiny pairs of Lao eyes, full of hope, asking when I would come back …. and so in a completely unstructured, unorganised and spontaneous way, I keep on returning and, in my very personal way, I try to continue changing the World.
When the construction of the bathroom in the first school, result of my professional move, had been finished, I wanted to thank those who made it happen. But at the same time I already knew that the second school would also need sinks and running water. Therefore I decided to organise a New Year’s drink inviting my ex-colleagues to show the results of the project they were part of. In the same time, I also thought it could be interesting to share my experience with my new colleagues. As a result, the Lao project turned into bringing together everybody. Once again - the support overcame my expectations.
Thanks to my Lao contacts, internet and possibility of global transfers, I could start the new phase immediately, in the same time planning another visit to Laos. And when I returned to Don Khon in March 2014, I tried to make the most of my two weeks on the island. It was a wonderful time. As planned, I managed to add sinks and running water to a bathroom in the second school and continued teaching English. But also - unexpectedly - I managed to order a set of new tables and benches and build a fence in a tiny school on the other side of the island ...
There are still so many places around the World to be seen, I was only supposed to revisit Don Khon for one longer holidays to teach English and learn Lao and nothing long-term or charity project-like has ever crossed my mind. But then, through a pure coincidence of events, just because at that time I was changing jobs and I had to organise a farewell drink, I decided to build a bathroom in a school in Laos instead of getting a farewell present.
And when I returned to the island to finalise the construction, I realised that the bounds I had created previously, were strongly rooted in this remote society, that the kids were waiting for another English course, that washing hands saves lives and that there is so much more that can be done and that actually what I do, really matters. My heart could not resist these numerous tiny pairs of Lao eyes, full of hope, asking when I would come back …. and so in a completely unstructured, unorganised and spontaneous way, I keep on returning and, in my very personal way, I try to continue changing the World.
When the construction of the bathroom in the first school, result of my professional move, had been finished, I wanted to thank those who made it happen. But at the same time I already knew that the second school would also need sinks and running water. Therefore I decided to organise a New Year’s drink inviting my ex-colleagues to show the results of the project they were part of. In the same time, I also thought it could be interesting to share my experience with my new colleagues. As a result, the Lao project turned into bringing together everybody. Once again - the support overcame my expectations.
Thanks to my Lao contacts, internet and possibility of global transfers, I could start the new phase immediately, in the same time planning another visit to Laos. And when I returned to Don Khon in March 2014, I tried to make the most of my two weeks on the island. It was a wonderful time. As planned, I managed to add sinks and running water to a bathroom in the second school and continued teaching English. But also - unexpectedly - I managed to order a set of new tables and benches and build a fence in a tiny school on the other side of the island ...
SINKS AND RUNNING WATER BECAUSE HANDS WASHING SAVES LIVES!
The impact that the construction of the full bathroom in the first school had on kids, the passion with which they washed their hands and the statistics I discovered about decreasing mortality because of hands washing, made me dream about adding sinks and running water to the toilet in the other school.
As I could start remotely, when I arrived a tank and a water pump were already installed and a wall for the sinks built. After the final payment, the foreman bought the sinks and on Sunday morning with his helper installed them. Next morning I added the towel hooks and all was almost ready to be used.
But as in the other school my sister made it all kids friendly, creating a wonderful fresco, I was determined to repeat it here as well. As I am not an artist, back in Brussels I got a long lecture from my sister on making sketches, on the use of colours and techniques of colouring. I found her previous designs and gave it a try… When the draft dolphins appeared on the wall, I decided to give the chalk to the kids to add fishes. They kept on drawing so I ended up with a full aquarium ready to be painted.
The next day I went to the school premises super early to avoid crowds and started to fill the sketches with paint. Only few kids showed up, but I used them as paparazzis… and still it didn’t prevent them to keep on adding fishes till the moment when I had to clean the drawings as it became unsustainable to colour it all….
The entire exercise took me few hours, couple of stains on my hands and a proper headache from the low quality paints that I managed to buy on the mainland… but the result, even if I say it myself, was not bad at all. For a second the idea of leaving my legalistic/negotiator job and moving to an art world crossed my mind :) The kids loved the fresco. Once again I saw the shiny sparkles in their eyes and there was no end to hands washing!!! Knowing that it will save lives made me really happy.
The impact that the construction of the full bathroom in the first school had on kids, the passion with which they washed their hands and the statistics I discovered about decreasing mortality because of hands washing, made me dream about adding sinks and running water to the toilet in the other school.
As I could start remotely, when I arrived a tank and a water pump were already installed and a wall for the sinks built. After the final payment, the foreman bought the sinks and on Sunday morning with his helper installed them. Next morning I added the towel hooks and all was almost ready to be used.
But as in the other school my sister made it all kids friendly, creating a wonderful fresco, I was determined to repeat it here as well. As I am not an artist, back in Brussels I got a long lecture from my sister on making sketches, on the use of colours and techniques of colouring. I found her previous designs and gave it a try… When the draft dolphins appeared on the wall, I decided to give the chalk to the kids to add fishes. They kept on drawing so I ended up with a full aquarium ready to be painted.
The next day I went to the school premises super early to avoid crowds and started to fill the sketches with paint. Only few kids showed up, but I used them as paparazzis… and still it didn’t prevent them to keep on adding fishes till the moment when I had to clean the drawings as it became unsustainable to colour it all….
The entire exercise took me few hours, couple of stains on my hands and a proper headache from the low quality paints that I managed to buy on the mainland… but the result, even if I say it myself, was not bad at all. For a second the idea of leaving my legalistic/negotiator job and moving to an art world crossed my mind :) The kids loved the fresco. Once again I saw the shiny sparkles in their eyes and there was no end to hands washing!!! Knowing that it will save lives made me really happy.
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH EDUCATION
The entire Lao adventure started with me noticing lack of teachers and having an idea that there could be an added value if I would teach. Teaching English in a place where tourists start coming and English opens door to prosperity seems obvious. Every time I go, I add new elements. We sing and dance and act the role plays. The kids are really smart and even after six months of my absence, they remember all I had taught them before.
But actually teaching also allowed me to do much more than just introducing new vocabulary. I brought the World map, taught the kids where Europe lies, I organised classes on hygiene by teaching songs about hands washing, told them not to throw away plastic bottles to the Mekong and simply tried to change their approach to foreigners. The most amazing development is that the kids, who at the beginning would try to cheat to get an additional pencil or a colourful booklet, now if I distribute too many crayons or pens, they give them back. This proves me that I managed also to gain their trust and hopefully teach them that Westerners are trustworthy partners and friends and not only walking dollars.
The entire Lao adventure started with me noticing lack of teachers and having an idea that there could be an added value if I would teach. Teaching English in a place where tourists start coming and English opens door to prosperity seems obvious. Every time I go, I add new elements. We sing and dance and act the role plays. The kids are really smart and even after six months of my absence, they remember all I had taught them before.
But actually teaching also allowed me to do much more than just introducing new vocabulary. I brought the World map, taught the kids where Europe lies, I organised classes on hygiene by teaching songs about hands washing, told them not to throw away plastic bottles to the Mekong and simply tried to change their approach to foreigners. The most amazing development is that the kids, who at the beginning would try to cheat to get an additional pencil or a colourful booklet, now if I distribute too many crayons or pens, they give them back. This proves me that I managed also to gain their trust and hopefully teach them that Westerners are trustworthy partners and friends and not only walking dollars.
SAFETY FIRST – NEW TABLES AND BENCHES
The poverty on the island is striking. People live in houses on stilts without bathrooms, there are no roads, no cars, in many places no ventilation. After a school building burned down years ago, the kids study in the classrooms with bamboo walls, or simple concrete classrooms with broken shutters and door. The tables and benches literally fall apart under the weight of skinny kids…
So as the last fund raising event again exceeded my expectations and there was some money left after adding the sinks, I decided to help by founding a new set of tables and benches. It was not easy as the closest carpenter lives on the neighbouring island. I placed the order at the beginning of the stay in order to be able to see the results. This part of the project was a full experience of Lao reality…
I tried to monitor the progress of work and had to negotiate hard with the carpenter, as the qiulaity of wood was not as requested, the number of benches was lower and the order was for .. yesterday… and exactly the day before the promised delivery, one bench fell apart under the weight of three boys hurting a girl sitting behind. If things had been on time, it would have never happened!
I know it is Laos, but my capitalistic heart couldn't let it go, so I showed a bit of teeth using my best negotiating skills trying to introduce fair way of trading. Eventually, I even got some money back and was promised that the tables would reach the school still before I leave, what indeed happened. The carpenter brought the set by boat and the kids were delighted to help bringing them to the classroom. I told the girl who had been hurt the day before that it was for her, so that no accident like this could happen again.
The poverty on the island is striking. People live in houses on stilts without bathrooms, there are no roads, no cars, in many places no ventilation. After a school building burned down years ago, the kids study in the classrooms with bamboo walls, or simple concrete classrooms with broken shutters and door. The tables and benches literally fall apart under the weight of skinny kids…
So as the last fund raising event again exceeded my expectations and there was some money left after adding the sinks, I decided to help by founding a new set of tables and benches. It was not easy as the closest carpenter lives on the neighbouring island. I placed the order at the beginning of the stay in order to be able to see the results. This part of the project was a full experience of Lao reality…
I tried to monitor the progress of work and had to negotiate hard with the carpenter, as the qiulaity of wood was not as requested, the number of benches was lower and the order was for .. yesterday… and exactly the day before the promised delivery, one bench fell apart under the weight of three boys hurting a girl sitting behind. If things had been on time, it would have never happened!
I know it is Laos, but my capitalistic heart couldn't let it go, so I showed a bit of teeth using my best negotiating skills trying to introduce fair way of trading. Eventually, I even got some money back and was promised that the tables would reach the school still before I leave, what indeed happened. The carpenter brought the set by boat and the kids were delighted to help bringing them to the classroom. I told the girl who had been hurt the day before that it was for her, so that no accident like this could happen again.
BUILDING FENCE SO THAT THE POOREST AND THE TINIEST SCHOOL CAN GROW VEGETABLES
This time I was also approached by the chief of the island , who drew my attention to the poorest and the tiniest school in the most remote corner of Don Khon. It is so poor that even that I passed it so many times on my bike, I never thought it was in use. Realising that it actually functions was a shock. The tiny school accommodates in one classroom around 50 kids of different ages split into three classes who are taught just by one teacher.
As it is really poor, the chief of the island thought it would be good to grow on its territory some vegetables. They tried already few times but each time, the animals were getting into the area and eating the vegetables. So they asked if I could help by funding a barbed wire… only the material as the chief of the island would ensure a group of volunteers to put up the fence.
I didn’t need to think twice. Next morning I got on a boat and went to the mainland to purchase ten rolls of the barbed wire. As promised, the chief of the island gathered the volunteers and the fence was installed. That was cheap and easy and will immediately help, but there is so much more this tiny school needs....
This time I was also approached by the chief of the island , who drew my attention to the poorest and the tiniest school in the most remote corner of Don Khon. It is so poor that even that I passed it so many times on my bike, I never thought it was in use. Realising that it actually functions was a shock. The tiny school accommodates in one classroom around 50 kids of different ages split into three classes who are taught just by one teacher.
As it is really poor, the chief of the island thought it would be good to grow on its territory some vegetables. They tried already few times but each time, the animals were getting into the area and eating the vegetables. So they asked if I could help by funding a barbed wire… only the material as the chief of the island would ensure a group of volunteers to put up the fence.
I didn’t need to think twice. Next morning I got on a boat and went to the mainland to purchase ten rolls of the barbed wire. As promised, the chief of the island gathered the volunteers and the fence was installed. That was cheap and easy and will immediately help, but there is so much more this tiny school needs....
So now it is the tiny school waiting for help. There is no electricity, no fans, no bathroom. My intention is to allow them to build a bathroom with a toilet, a sink and running water. I also hope to bring electricity and install a ventilation system in the school. The estimated cost of the project is 2200€. Every singly euro will add up . During a summer drink we already gathered initial amount and the works have already started. I will go back to Laos in February 2015 to finalize helping the tiny school.
Because small things can make a BIG difference!!!
Because small things can make a BIG difference!!!
If you want to join the efforts of changing this world, contributions are welcome at the following bank account opened for this cause on my name IBAN: BE32 1030 7215 1702 BIC NICABEBB.. It will stay open as I plan to continue my efforts to make this world better!