Some additions to the Katy's post~~

Like many visitors to Laos, we also felt the need to give something back to the local population, especially after our trekking experience. We think this is because after visiting Thailand, where all people seemed to want from uswas money , Lao people seem to be as yet unspoiled by the opportunism and materialism that tourism seems to create.

So, with Katinka, we donated the $20 needed to buy a new blackboard for the Bwok Guai village. Vlad the Sceptical (after Thailand) did however ask that we be sent photos of the blackboard and left our email addresses. We had also seen a very interesting organization at the market several times. It is called Big Brother Mouse and produces books for Lao children in Lao, Hmong and English. Vlad bought three books (with mostly pictures and no English, only Lao, since they had never been to school) to give his favorite boys at the Khmu village. Katinka bought a few books to donate to the school at the Hmong village and also contributed some pairs of boys pants for the Khmu boys. I bought two colouring books of Lao animals with descriptions in Lao, Hmong and English and two books outlining basic health care to give adults. I haven't given them away yet but I will start carrying them around with me and look for the appropriate moment. There is no need to look for the appropriate people to give them to as every village child we have passed is sorely in need of education.... but I have only two colouring books... If you want to donate some more, google Big Brother Mouse and Laos and you should be able to find it.