LaoAmericans

“Elephants are coming! Elephants are coming!” Hundreds of young voices shout in chorus, the excitement palpable. But these are not just any elephants—they are four-legged libraries! In Laos, the Asian elephant has long been a national symbol.

“Now that you have the gift of a school by our kind brothers and sisters in America, it is your responsibility to fill up the classrooms, to get educated so you can get out of poverty. Do not take their gifts for granted. Use it.”

Papayas, jackfruits, coconuts, bananas, bees, bamboo, omelete, chili sauce, smoothie, sticky rice, soups, salads, skewers and stews. Dennis travels to Laos to visit family in late 2011 and shares with us his favorite eats.  Enjoy!

Photographer Xiaohoa Michelle Ching turned her lens on Laos in early 2011 to capture beautiful images of daily life. Michelle’s ethnic Chinese father met her mother in Laos before they immigrated to the US.

U.S. Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT)/Facial Plastic Surgeon Kyle Keojampa, MD and his fiancee U.S. General Surgeon Melanie Gainsbury, MD traveled on a medical mission with the Lao Rehabilitation Foundation http://lao-foundation.org/ for cleft lip/palate and ENT surgery. For Kyle the trip was professionally and personally significant.

Legacies of War (“Legacies”) announces the release of its conference report, “A Peaceful Legacy Now: Briefing & Discussion on Cluster Bomb Removal and Assistance in Laos,” which details the current status of cluster bomb clearance, victim assistance and risk awareness education in Laos and recommends a substantial increase in U.S. funding for these activities. The [...]

The success of our first Jai Lao mission is due, in large part, to the generous contributions of our supporters. Their gently used clothing donations, in-kind contributions, Jai Lao apparel donations, and monetary donations have given warmth and smiles to over 2,000 people in six villages.