Knocking on doors

Last Friday, I spent the day trekking through Vientiane to visit three different offices: MAG (the Mines Advisory Group), Peuan Mit Street Children Project and World Education Laos. At MAG, I learned more facts and figures on UXO's and also learned there's a possibility I can go with them on one of their UXO clearing trips up north. Peuan Mit takes children off streets and into school (http://www.friends-international.org/wherewework/lao-pdr.asp?mainmenu=wherewework&page=laopdr). I decided their work, as remarkable as it is, would not work the best with my project. So I set out to find World Education Laos (http://laos.worlded.org/).

I serendipitously found World Education Laos on the internet after entering my post last Thursday night. Frustration turned to hope again as I read of their work. Quite conveniently, they already are working with children survivors of UXO accidents in obtaining an education. They also help survivors pay for their medical costs which could easily bankrupt a survivor's family.

Finding addresses in Vientiane, and anywhere in Laos, can be a bit tricky. I do have an excellent map of the city but unfortunately, most places are identified by landmarks rather than numerical addresses. At MAG, they told me that the World Education office was across the road from Don Chan Palace, a huge hotel on the Mekong River. Although I could easily have walked there, I decided to take the tuk-tuk to the neighborhood because the glaring sun was starting to get to me.

For the first time in my life, I have been able to use the French I took in school. I found it very helpful to smack myself on the forehead a couple times to find the right words. Sign language and Laotians' wonderful willingness to help also worked wonders. After about an hour of searching, I found the World Education office on a small side street.

How glad am I that I found them!! I met with a very sweet man named Phadsada who welcomed my unannounced visit with a huge smile. That smile grew broader and broader when he learned of what I hope to do. I am so pleased to learn that they have just set up a new office in the northern province called Xiang Khouang, which has highest concentration of UXO's in Laos. He recommended that I meet with his co-worker, Vongdala, who is the Project Coordinator there.

Incidentally, MAG also works a lot in Xiang Khouang province. Could I get so lucky that I could go on an UXO clearing trip AND see World Education's new office all in one trip to Xiang Khouang? I will definitely try!