The End of our Winter Term

Posted on December 22, 2024 by connieinasia

“Christmas Tree!” 11-year-old Sisakda shouted as he popped up excitedly during our Christmas Bingo game on Tuesday night.

We all fell into laughing hysterics.

“No, Sisakda,” one classmate responded, rather annoyed. “You shout ‘Merry Christmas’, not ‘Christmas tree’!”

Students had gone all out in creating their own Bingo cards using our Christmas vocabulary. It took my elementary class about 15 minutes as they were eager to play, especially with Christmas stickers as prizes.

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In junior high, however, we have quite a few artists. It took them a full class hour to complete their game squares so Shaloom and I delayed their Christmas Bingo to Wednesday. As you can see, they took their drawings very seriously!

Shaloom and I also made our own pitiful symbol cards as well. With this game, winners become the teachers, drawing the symbols from a bag and calling out the words, thus we all get to participate, even us official educators. (See our efforts below, minuscule in comparison to the teenagers.)

Connie's Bingo CardShaloom's Bingo Card

Thus our 3-month term wound down with Christmas Bingo and words of praise from both myself , Shaloom and Santi, our Laos staff member who is a certified English teacher.

While Shaloom and I teach those with some English foundation, I assigned Santi to take care of my A, B, C learners due to their difficulty in entering my Book 1 beginner’s class. At ages 6 and 7, the poor things can barely read Laos much less English. I’m hoping that the new term, starting January 20th, will bring more such youngsters into our midst. Already, office manager Khamxay has received numerous requests from parents to save a spot for their child.

I have a feeling we’ll have to turn some away. There are only 3 of us. We have limited after-school hours only and can’t be keeping students late into the night on school nights. Adult classes are reserved for the 7 – 8:30 p.m. slot. Looks like we’ll have at least 2 of those, hopefully one college group and another for working professionals needing skills to communicate with clients or at international conferences.

Thursday’s “Graduation” Night: Presenting Certificates of Study

In the past, students were so few (only about 7) that the previous director didn’t bother with formal study certificates. Last semester, the Center prepared certificates of study for the 16 we had enrolled but kept them in their separate classrooms. At that time, I was their only teacher for both elementary and junior high.

But this time around, it was a different atmosphere altogether.

Thursday evening, we gathered at 5:30 in our beautifully decorated main hall. Almost all our 29 students came to receive words of praise and encouragement from both myself and Shaloom. One by one, they came before us to be handed their carefully prepared document. Signatures of both myself and Shaloom, along with attendance tallies for each person, highlighted their paper. The official stamp of the Center was added as well. Quite an impressive looking document! See the slideshow below of our evening together, including some candid shots. (Yes, Winnie my dog got in on the event as well.)

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After photos were taken, students chose a Christmas window decal and a Christmas pencil from my stash of hundreds of holiday pencils.

Where did those come from? Those of you who mailed to China my “wish list” asks, the biggest of those being a variety of Christmas pencils. All my pencil hoards found their way to me in my shipped boxes, thank the Lord!

Preparing for the New Term

For those wondering what we’ll be doing for a month without classes taking place, there’s a lot. The Center remains open as always. We have Christmas Day off only, then December 30, 31 and January 1st before returning for regular work days.

Shaloom and I have a lot of planning to do. We need to find new books for his upper level elementary class. We then need to prepare all our junior high lessons ahead of time. Last term was rather a helter-skelter mix of us trying to figure out what we should cover. It doesn’t help that they arrive willy-nilly, often 15 – 20 minutes late, giving us only 40 minutes of quality time to cover what we want to cover. Often times, we have to nix the lesson.

As this is not a public school, we can’t make them come on time. Scolding is not helpful, nor does it produce a happy atmosphere, so we go with the flow, smile and make a great class despite unenthusiastic, exhausted, ready-to-go-home teenagers. Takes them about 10 minutes to warm up but warm up they do eventually.

So as you can see, Shaloom and I have a lot of discussing to do about how to keep them actively learning and happy while trying to accomplish what we’d like to be accomplished.

I am also planning on seminar and workshop courses I’d like to open up for area businesses. Santi, my translator, and I will hopefully be going to hotels, beauty salons, public schools, even government offices to cater to the needs of those who want us. I was hoping for Saturday mornings or afternoons where we cover English vocabulary needed to communicate with foreign clients or visitors. Vientiane is in great need of such training. Let’s see if I can get it off the ground for the new year.

I do have more to report but I’ll save it for another day. It’s a late Sunday night here and our usual Monday morning staff meeting takes place tomorrow. It’ll be a quick wind down, then an even quicker winding up for 2025.

Connie in laos closing off, always grateful, always excited to share, always eager to continue onward. Merry Christmas!

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Christmas in Laos: We are Ready!

Posted on December 20, 2024 by connieinasia

Proper pose, Elementary

What a night!

The Suntisouk Language and Vocational Center here in Vientiane, Laos, had its first ever Deck the Halls activity evening with the students. After a surprise road construction and alleyway paving closed us for a day, we had to delay this night from last week to this week. As you can see below, our 2 weeks of road prep and then the final paving left the staff and myself not in the best of holiday spirits. Driving our motorbikes on this was very precarious.

My lovely, well-thought-out, spot-on schedule for Christmas lessons, all-day staff hall prep and the final big night of decorating went out the window. Adjustments were made, however, and the results were outstanding.

That includes the road, which finally allowed the students to come to their Christmas lessons unencumbered, and with clean shoes!

Road finished!

Learning About Christmas

Last week, Shaloom (my Global Mission Fellow from Pakistan) and I led all the students in Christmas vocabulary lessons so all were well prepared. Junior High received both the religious and the traditional symbols using my tried and true vocabulary Christmas sheet I used in China for over 20 years. It proved just as perfect in Laos as it did in China.

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An All-day Friday Preparation

Friday had the staff, Shaloom and myself setting up the main hall for Monday’s evening of decorating Our 3 craft stations were: make ornaments, create paper chains, and snowflake cutting. We hauled over all the tables from the classrooms, set up chairs, set the basic decorating foundation for the night by wrapping the trees with lights and putting up festive wall hangings. (Those hangings were my Walmart bargains from 2 years ago: 10 cents each holiday door panel — I bought 15 and brought them all with me.)

Our Deck the Halls Night

We began at 4 pm and ended at 7. These Laos students had never decorated for Christmas before, even though the city has exploded in lighted trees along with hundreds of shops selling Christmas outfits, tinsel roping, lights, ornaments, holiday window decals, wreaths and everything else associated with Christmas commercialism. What a treat to participate in and experience their joy as well as our own. As you can see, this was a spectacular holiday event, worthy of the effort and time put into it. (Note: The below is a slideshow. Click on necessary arrows on the first picture to proceed.)

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With our night completed, now students can continue to enjoy the hall until the closing certificate celebration to end the semester on Thursday. Thank you to all my staff who helped me spend an entire Friday preparing for this event and then manned the stations, plus helped the students on Monday (along with clean-up afterwards) to create a special festive atmosphere. Merry Christmas from Laos, from us to you!

SLVC Group shot 1Junior high second great group shot

Merry Christmas group !

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My First Thanksgiving Day Lessons in Laos: Being Thankful

Posted on November 29, 2024 by connieinasia

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I don’t have time.

It’s too late to prepare a PPT.

No one will know if I mention it or not as it’s not popular here.

Those were my thoughts last Sunday morning as I suddenly remembered: “Oh, my gosh!! This is Thanksgiving Day week. I totally forgot to share with others this cultural tradition in my country.”

The reminder of Halloween had been all over the streets of Laos for over a month. No problems forgetting that one. But Thanksgiving Day is not known much throughout Asia. This special day was about to whiz by me. I had been extraordinarily busy last week as director of the Center: staff meeting, formal visit to a government office, preparing lesson plans, teaching, dealing with a disastrous electrical issue (we almost had the Center burn down!!), not to mention the never-ending unexpected surprises which piled high on my plate, one after another after another.

Honestly, stopping to be thankful was not at the top of my to-do list.

It should have been.

My staff watched my numerous meltdowns as my anxiety mounted. They saw me through with sympathy, concern and tremendous support. But I was so caught up in the duties of my position that it just sent me spiraling into “Get it done and move on to the next shoe that drops” mode.

But . . . . Well, I got inspired on Monday late night, stayed up until 1 a.m. to finish two Thanksgiving Day power point presentations, and awoke with more of a thankful spirit in my heart. The first PPT was for junior high, a 2-part lesson with first the history and later the traditions of the day explained. My beginning English elementary school class would receive the less complicated one, concerning namely traditions and purpose of the day, to give thanks, along with turkey drawings.

The results? See below!! It was a joyous Thanksgiving Day after all.

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What surprised them the most concerned the turkey.  Turkeys are rarely found in Laos so many seeing my turkey slide, even with the Laos translation noting it’s a turkey,  immediately shouted, “Chicken!  Big chicken.”

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Nope. Not a chicken, my teacher assistant and translator, Santi, explained. It’s a turkey.

How fortunate I was to have pictures of my dad from many years ago, cooking the traditional turkey and all the other popular offerings which land on our Thanksgiving Day tables in America. I only forgot one important item, the stuffing. (Whoops!) I’ll have to add that for next year.

My favorite visual for this presentation was the below. Many laughs followed that one. Laos people may not get the concept of a turkey dinner, or pumpkin pie, or mashed potatoes and gravy but they certainly do understand eating a big dinner and collapsing with a full stomach afterwards.

No translation needed for this one.

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At the end of our lesson, we all shared what we were thankful for.

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Mother, father, sister, brother, uncle, Laos . . . so many English words were shared. But the one that touched my heart the most was from Pizza (she chose that as an English nickname), one of my youngest students at age 6. Bless her heart, she said, “Teacher Connie!”

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And for myself?

So many blessings here and thankfulness from my end for being able to serve in this country, with the support of so many both here in my midst and abroad.

Happy Thanksgiving Day weekend, everyone! I leave you with this very appropriate Native American prayer my mom sent to me: “Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.” Peace and Joy, folks, from Laos.

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A Relationship of Firsts

Posted on November 20, 2024 by connieinasia

I’ve been learning so much about government structure here in Laos, especially when it comes to neighborhoods of big cities, small towns and then tiny villages.

“Villages” for Laos in big cities are comparable to precincts in America. I have 2 villages that I am a part of: One is where I live and the other is where the Center (my place of business, or rather my workplace) is located. Last week, the Center’s village chief sent out a notice concerning the safety and security check of our village (our neighborhood). As Laos’ National Day approaches (December 2), the city government has begun to ask villages to do safety checks over the next 2 weeks, gearing up for a good showing to top officials. Don’t want your country’s official National Day to be marred by neighborhoods that are unsafe and unprotected.

Those who take part in these checks often work late into the night. They walk alleyways, make sure public lighting is adequate and take note of house gates or broken locks. Our village chief sent out the notice to all businesses, giving us a “heads up” concerning these mandatory procedures, along with a request for us to send snacks or usable items to be shared among the safety check personnel during their breaks. We were to drop these by the village chief’s office within the next 2 weeks.

As director of the Center, I made sure that our language school participated in this most important ask.

Our Purchases for the Safety and Security Teams

This morning, I made a quick run to the D-mart (comparable to the Walmart) to see what would be a good donation.

At our Monday meeting last week, we had discussed what would be appropriate snack items. Coffee was a must to keep up the security teams’ energy levels along with something to go with it. I had voted for cookies but my Laos staff pointed out that cookies are not filling. Better to get something of more substance, thus the snack cakes were suggested.

I’m always one to listen to my staff so coffee and cakes it was. Not knowing what different individuals might want, I chose 3 different coffee selections, which you can see below.

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I made sure the count was a good one.  The instant coffee bags contained  60 single packet servings in total. The 3 different kinds of individually wrapped snack cakes (chocolate, vanilla and tea flavored) contained 25 cakes each for a total of 75.  These are like Little Debbie’s and come in a wide variety of flavors and kinds. Just take your pick.

The total cost was about 500,000 Kip ($24), which was taken from the funds of all those who have been so considerate to give to the Center through the Advance.  (Thank you so much!)

Delivery This Afternoon

Khamxay, my office manager, Santi (translator and office assistant), and I zipped up the block on our motorcycles to deliver our offerings this afternoon. We had a nice sit-down chat with our village chief after which he graciously accepted our offerings. I made sure to thank him for including the Center in this request. There are many foreigner-run restaurants, shops and even embassies in our neighborhood. None of them are sent such notices by our village chief because they pay little attention to the local Laos government. The Center, on the other hand, is one which I am so proud to be a part of. I want to support all the efforts of our village chief as part of the community. We need to show we care, and in all honesty, I truly do!

In fact, he even mentioned I was the first foreigner for him to know as a village chief and I, in turn, said he was the first village chief for me to know. A relationship of firsts! Such a special partnership we now have, along with this photo to remember our visit. (See below Khamxay in green, myself, our village chief in the white shirt and his office representative).

village chief visit

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My First American Tradition Sharing here in Laos: All Hallow’s Eve

Posted on November 9, 2024 by connieinasia

As one who enjoys getting out of the mundane office or classroom routine, I’m always looking for an excuse for celebration.

Most recently, that had the Center involved in Halloween.

When I saw the streets of Vientiane explode in Halloween costumes for sale, that stirred me into action to educate those enrolled in our classes with what this day was about.

No one knew aside from it was a foreigners’ time to dress up in scary outfits for some reason or other. To the Laos children, their parents and working adults, sounded fun so why not take part in it by purchasing costumes, and attending some ex-pats parties or gatherings? International schools likewise were hosting their own Halloween celebrations for students, even though this is more of an American custom than those in Europe or Asia. Seems the Halloween spirit catches on no matter where one might be in the world.

In China, I devoted entire units to Halloween, which ended in a campus-wide Halloween Activity Night which the English Club and I spent weeks to prepare. Over 700 came to enjoy pumpkin carving, bob-for-apples, trick-or-treating, costume wearing and picture taking. We even had teachers from outside bring their students to enjoy.

Here at the Center, I took the opportunity to create a special Power Point concerning the history of Halloween from the Celts to the Romans to the Christians. This included the Christians adoption of the day which eventually ties into All Saints Day.

Next came the activities associated with this day: wearing costumes and masks, trick-or-treating, bobbing-for-apples, and carving pumpkins. Unfortunately for this part of the world, pumpkins are so flat and narrow that I couldn’t demonstrate making a Jack-o-Lantern but videos I made during the Covid years came in very handy.

By the end of the 2-day preparation for our own celebrations at the Center, the students were well-informed. Worksheets helped them gain the simple vocabulary needed to identify activities and costumes that are the most popular in America for an October 31st gathering.

Preparing for The Big Evening

Much like in China, I decided Halloween Activity Night was what we needed to nail home the lessons taught. Without my English Club, it was my Laos staff and Shaloom (our intern from Pakistan) to help carry out the evening as hosts and chaperones.

I first enlisted the help of our older students, those in Junior High, to help make the necessary activity signs needed for each of our stations. These they translated into Laos as well, to make sure our younger students, their parents and friends (invited as well) could understand what was asked of them to do.

Our activity stations were as follows: Mask making, Make a trick-or-treat bag, Trick-or-Treat, Wear a Costume, and Bob-for-Apples.

I was very impressed by their enthusiasm in taking on this task and their creativity in making their signs colorful and noticeable. They really went to town! This likewise included Shaloom, who mentioned this is also a new experience for him as well. Notice is great ghost drawing in the below. He certainly outdid himself!

Preparing for the Evening’s Event

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The Laos staff likewise enjoyed a down-sized education of Halloween via Power Point during our weekly meetings and then being assigned roles for decorating and manning our stations. Aside from those of Laos nationality, two more additions (newly arrived Sora, Korean-American, and our bookkeeper, Joan from the Philippines) joined in helping along with Shaloom, of course. We started at 10 a.m. and eventually finished by 3 p.m., just in time to settle into our own costumes and await the arrival of our guests. (Note: Not familiar with slideshows? Below is a slideshow of our preparation photos. Click on arrows to forward or the middle arrow to begin progression automatically.)

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The Event Itself

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Our doors opened at 4 and closed at 7 p.m.  In total, we had about 45 come (including all our students) and participate in what we had to offer.  Students brought siblings or friends.  We had a few parents enjoy themselves as well, especially picking through the many costumes which I’d had from China and then added quite a few from the street venders.

I will say the venders selling so many costume selections were ecstatic when they saw me coming.  I ended up visiting them numerous times to make sure we were stocked to the brim so everyone could have a decent selection of what to wear.  As you can see from the pictures, this was quite a night full of happiness, fun, all-out joy along with the educational stance which I, as a teacher, always highlight in anything I do. (Below is another slideshow presentation.  Put your cursor on the picture and arrows will appear.)

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Grateful to All our “Sponsors”

I have more news to share of more celebrations in upcoming posts, but let me take this time to thank you all once again, those of you who have been graciously and generously giving to the Santisouk Vocational and Language Center through the Advance.  Without your support, we would not be able to have such events.  

Not only have you added to the education of the students but given the staff a feeling of being appreciated and loved in all their hard work.  Your donations have allowed me to go all-out for birthday parties, lunches on the Center’s dime, offering snacks during weekly meetings, money gifts to rejoice in births or (sad to say) the passing away of  close relatives, and also truly making us all proud with those who have finished furthering their education.  2 have just finished their BA degrees after 2 years of after-work courses, another completed his junior college Business degree and yet another is about to undertake a weekend of MA courses here in Vientiane.  

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Here we are below, at a celebratory luncheon for our graduates,  following yesterday’s after-buffet gorging.  `The lunch for 11 was on all of you who have given to the Center so generously this past year.  In our opening prayer before eating, we thanked those who have supported us in all ways, not just monetarily but also  through spreading the word about  this special institution here in Vientiane, Laos.  Yes, we  in Southeast Asia feel truly blessed to have you join us in spirit and thought.  Have a blessed weekend!

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My Sins in Laos Released

Posted on October 19, 2024 by connieinasia

I mentioned in the last post that after sinning away in my new country of service, I was finally able to release my offensive cultural and personal burdens accumulated over the 10 months I’ve been here.

This purification transpired after my Thursday evening class ended, the night of Boun Ok Phansa which marked the end of the Buddhists’ lenten period and also the end of the rainy season.

I had been told that candles and lights would be lining many of the streets, with booths set up along the roadside selling banana leaf floatables with candles. These were to be lit and placed in rivers, lakes, or ponds to cleanse the spirit and purify one’s life of past transgressions.

Why water and why candles?

To celebrate Boun Ok Phansa, the festival Lai Huea Fai was initiated. This is known as the Candlelight Festival or Festival of Light. Like other festivals in Laos, it blends together Animist and Buddhist traditions. It is believed that the ceremony originated as a way to pay homage to the river deities and their spirits.

From the Animist viewpoint, the nagas (water spirits) bring good luck, thus a combination of water and light are a highlight of the traditions for this special night.

My Participation in The Festival of Light

I was the last to leave the language center at 7 p.m. after my English class ended. Due to reports from my Laos staff members, I was anticipating an astounding candlelit visual ride home. I hopped on my midnight blue Honda Scoopy and zipped along the main road.

Sure enough, numerous shops had their candles lit and displayed on my route, including restaurants and homes.

But what caused me to gaze in wonder was the large temple which I pass by every day. Outside the temple compound, booths full of homemade flower-laden water lamps lined the entranceway. I did a quick U-turn, pulled up alongside one of the display tables, parked my bike and scanned the wares offered.

Time to cleanse my spirit of sins. What better way than to participate in my first Laos Festival of Light by buying a time-honored traditional item?

My female seller was so pleased to have a foreigner purchase her handicrafts. I’m sure she jacked up the price but as far as I was concerned, 50,000 Kip ($2.50) was fine with me.

My Outside Temple seller

Buying my banana leaf floats with seller

And I really made her day as my philosophy is if one is good, two is better.  

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My Water Launching

For a possible launch, the Mekong River was definitely in my neck of the woods but I knew the crowds would be horrendous. I was not up for a fight to park my motorbike, or deal with traffic jams and a possible accident, especially in the dark and after a full day of work. I was tired!

Instead, I opted for a quieter, more private and intimate discarding of my transgressions: That of my apartment’s swimming pool.

After lighting my candles, and included incense sticks, off my offenses and misdeeds went.

My two floats bobbed along as the flickering candle flames illuminated the surrounding water. While not an Animist or a Buddhist, I will say that within my Christian faith, there was a freeing sense of sins being forgiven, at least for the day, anyway.

One Last Cleansing Needed

And what about others in my household and their sins? That would happen to be my recently adopted dog, Winnie,

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….who is still working on her many behavioral sins, one of which has her recently peeing in my bed!

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That second launched lamp of spiritual cleansing might have sufficed for the water deities and Buddha, but in my books, Winnie really needs to do a lot better than a flower floaty to get any blessings from me.

Winnie choosing her light 1

Winnie choosing her light 2

Here’s Connie, and Winnie Wee-wee, signing off from yet another fascinating experience in Laos, our home in Southeast Asia.

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From Laos, Celebrating My First Boun Ok Phansa

Posted on October 18, 2024 by connieinasia

After 10 months of culturally and personally sinning away in my new country of service, last night, I was finally able to release all my offensive burdens.

What has brought this about? None other than Bhoun Ok Phansa, or what locals often refer to as Boun Lai Heua Fai, the Festival of Lights.

What is Boun Ok Phansa?

This festival marks the end of the three-month Buddhist Lent, or “Phansa”, during which monks typically stay within their temples for meditation and study. As they emerge from their retreat, illuminated lanterns and candles symbolize the return of the monks to their communities and the end of the rainy season when they are less likely to harm living creatures while walking as well as the enlightenment they have gained during this period.

In the days leading up to the event, temples and homes are decorated with candles and colorful paper lanterns in anticipation. 

On Boun Ork Phansa day, this year celebrated on October 17, vibrant festivities ensue across the country as monks emerge from their retreats and communities come together to celebrate their return. A special candlelight parade in the evening marks the culmination of the festival. 

The light from lanterns and candles is often associated with purity and spiritual cleansing. It is believed that the act of lighting these illuminations helps cleanse one’s spirit and bring positive energy into one’s life.

The lanterns and candles attract the blessings and protection of deities and spirits. This symbolism ties into the broader theme of seeking divine favor and guidance during the festival.

Showing respect for Cultural Traditions: Wearing the Sinh, the Laos Skirt

Since Boun Ork Phansa is not a national holiday, schools, government offices and places of business continued onward as usual. This included our Santisouk Language and Vocational Center, although I will say evening classes for both myself and Shaloom had slimmer numbers than usual.

The Junior High had only 5 out of 11 in attendance; My new elementary education class of 6 had only 3.

This didn’t stop me from wearing my new Laos skirt in celebration of this traditional day. I gathered together my students, some still in their school skirt uniforms, for a photo op.

Naturally, we had to have two: The “posed” shot and then the fun one. Junior high first, with Shaloom since we are co-teachers.

Junior High Good

Junior High, Fun Shot Best

And next, our elementary ed students including higher and lower levels.

Elem. Ed, 1 Best

Elementary ed, FUN 2 Best

To make it a special evening for my Level 1 attendees, Louknam, Namwan and Fanta, we had our first game of Bingo with cookie packet prizes. Yum!

So what about the release of sins?

Interested in how my sins were released after those opening blog sentences? Watch this space for the next installment, my adventuresome ride home after class and the outcome of my stop along the way. It’ll be a great read!

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Loudspeaker Announcements Bring Big Surprises

Posted on October 11, 2024 by connieinasia

I am used to announcements in Laos blaring over our village’s loudspeakers around the Center. These usually happen once a week but last week, it seemed to be a constant and always during my classes.

What in the world is going on?!

Khamxay, my office manager, had the scoop on that one. One by one, seemingly every day, some request was made for us to follow as a place of business which concerned the upcoming ASEAN Summit, being held in Vientiane from October 6 – 11.

What’s the ASEAN Summit?

I had no idea what this was about but only that the buzz around the city was that roads might be closed and security would be upped, meaning more police on the roads than usual.

I looked up the news concerning this important yearly meeting and found the following:

“The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is an inter-governmental international organization, comprised of  Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Brunei, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, Cambodia, Singapore and Malaysia.The yearly ASEAN Summit is the highest policy-making body in ASEAN comprising the Heads of State or Government of ASEAN Member States. ASEAN’s purpose is to promote economic and cultural exchange among its member countries, maintain peace and stability in Southeast Asia, and establish relationships with foreign powers with similar aims. ASEAN formed during the Cold War to promote stability and cooperation in a politically turbulent region. The theme of ASEAN 2024 is enhancing connectivity and resilience, and is to be held in Vientiane, Laos. It aims to make Asia well-connected to the world and between our regions as well as being resilient in this uneasy time around the world.”

Loudspeaker Requests Are Carried Out

The first announcement Khamxay alerted me to was that of purchasing a new Laos flag.

Every year, businesses are to replace old faded flags with new ones. With the summit just around the corner, the urgency of looking good to dignitaries and summit reps was paramount. Our Center is located down an out-of-the-way back alleyway but all around us are embassies. I often zip by the Korean, Chinese and French Embassies on my way to work or heading up the road for a short shopping venture

I immediately requested funds from our bookkeeper and Khamxay headed out to buy a Laos flag and colorful smaller flags to line our outside security wall.

I was quite surprised by the new image which this portrayed for us. The previous flags were worn, ripped and so faded it was difficult to distinguish what color they were. I was a bit embarrassed that I hadn’t noticed their shabbiness. It wasn’t until Khamxay and Santi replaced them that I realized what a poor showing we had been making. As an educational institute that prides itself on caring about the country, flying a dirty Laos flag certainly didn’t look good.

Thanks to Khamxay’s guidance, we set off on a new venture of patriotism with our flags, proudly flying for those passing by or entering our gates.

Security Personnel Needing Appreciation

The next loudspeaker translation from Khamxay concerned our Village Chief’s appeal to bring snacks to area police and security personnel during their long week of keeping the city safe during the summit.

What a kind gesture!

As soon as I heard, I headed off on my motorbike to the D-mart to stock up on snack supplies. I purchased variety boxes of cream-filled cakes, very similar to our USA Little Debbies, along with energy-boosting instant coffee Nescafe packets. In total, I had 70 cakes and 120 3-in-1 coffee sachets. A worthy token of service recognition, the staff and I agreed.

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Before Delivery, A Note

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We were asked to drop off our offerings at the Village Chief’s office. I really wanted to make sure our Center was recognized as having given a donation so I wrote a small note in English. This was translated into Laos by Santi, printed out, signed by myself with our Center’s stamp and placed in an envelope which I slipped into the goodie bag.

Here is what I wrote:
“To Our Local Security Team, in Preparation of the 44th ASEAN Summit:

The director and staff of the Santisouk Language and Vocational Center  thank you for all your efforts to keep the city safe and secure during this upcoming vital meeting.  We hope this small gift of snacks will help sustain you during your long week.  

We are so grateful to our Village Chief for announcing, collecting and distributing these items to all those involved in this venture.   It is an honor to join with other businesses to give the support  needed for all involved to complete such a worthy task.

In deepest appreciation,

Director Connie Wieck and Staff, Santisouk Language and Vocational Center Vientiane, Laos

The Delivery

The Village Chief’s office is only a 1-minute motorcycle ride from our main gate. Khamxay called to make sure someone would be there to unlock the hall and usher us in. The Villadge Chief himself wasn’t there so late in the afternoon but two of his staff members were. After dropping off our items, we had a group picture and left feeling satisfied that we had done our duty to keep our neighborhood in good standing with local authorities.

The Biggie: All Schools Closed for The Week!

The last announcement, which was made publicly by official notices, was the close of all educational institutions for the week.

This was completely unexpected and we had no idea it was coming until Sunday.

The Laos government wanted to keep the roads cleared of as much traffic as possible in the city, thus the closure of all schools in Vientiane. This included our Center as well, even though we are a private business and not a public educational institute like a local Laos school, international school or a college.

Khamxay made sure our students were notified via Facebook and our group chats. Despite no students, the Center remained open with the staff and myself keeping our usual office hours.

Shaloom and I, as teachers, had plenty of time to lesson plan. I was able to get caught up on all my material development ventures for primary school and junior high. This included re-writing a puppet play script with specific grammar focuses, creating numerous “spare tire” (extra) worksheets for my beginning level students, making several board-type games with the vocab from book chapters, finishing 3 power points for my class and catching up on administrative duties.

In other words, despite the absence of students, we all kept pretty busy.

The Summit Ends; The Weekend Begins

With Friday upon us, and the summit ending tomorrow, it will be back to the usual weekend activities for me: Pool swimming, shopping, walking my family canine addition (Winnie, my newly adopted dog — we’re still working on potty training, a different concept for her), attending church on Sunday and gearing up for a week of classes after a surprise 1-week holiday.

Keep checking this space in the future for more news. It’s always a joy to share with you from my amazing home, here in Laos.

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Eyesores Disappear; Purchases Made; New Classes Begin

Posted on October 4, 2024 by connieinasia

The past 2 weeks have seen so many changes here at the Center. Are you ready for the updates? Here we go! Let’s begin with our eyesores

Thatched Roof Huts Are Finally Gone

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The two raised Laos thatched roof huts at the Center were purchased 5 years ago as a special hang-out place for the students. I wasn’t present at that time yet I heard they were well-used, even with teachers holding outside classes on cooler days.

But when Covid became an issue, the Center closed down for in-person education. Online teaching ensued and the huts began to fall into disrepair. The sight of them was quite shocking. Khamxay mentioned many times having such an embarrassment on our grounds.

When I arrived last December, they were a true eyesore. I had so many other things to deal with that the huts went onto a “to do” list that stretched onward into infinity, it seemed.

This problem recently flew to the top of my deal-with-it list when our Village Chief stopped in for a visit.

I still remember Khamxay and I watched as his eyes scanned the dilapidated structures. While he said nothing, his facial expression was one which said it all: “What kind of respectable business would keep these national Laos-treasured buildings in such a state?!”

Not a good one, obviously.

At many staff weekly meetings, I had the huts on the agenda. Sell? Give away? Disassemble and give away as firewood?

Last week, I’d had it.

No more discussion. I told Santi, my “get things done” staff member, to advertise on Facebook. Whoever wanted them can have them, to either take away as a whole or cut up in our courtyard for easier removal.

With that announcement in the office, Khamxay (my office manager) brightened.

“Ajan Connie,” he said excitedly, “can I have one? I can put at my new house. My family and I can enjoy outside eating and resting. And I know Nyai (treasurer) also wants one for her home, too. Is it OK?”

“Absolutely OK!” I piped up. “And as a bonus, I’ll pay for the hiring of whomever you choose to haul them away. But I just want them gone by the end of the week. If not, I will advertise for removal immediately.”

Khamxay got on the phone to Nyai and the two of them began discussing how to haul these giant huts away in a hurry. They enlisted the use of our out-of-town Laos church flatbed truck. This is good for use if gas money is paid, with one of the church members driving.

I handed over 300,000 Kip ($14 USD) for transportation. The next day, our male staff members gathered together to hoist first one (Trip 1) and then the second (Trip 2) for delivery to Khamxay and Nyai’s home.


The next day, Nyai sent me photos of why the hut for her was so important. To make extra money, she and her husband have a mushroom farm. She is using the hut as an area to prepare, sort and package her goods for local sellers. Such an ingenious idea! Certainly better needed there than here, and a much more pleasant sight than at our Center

New Students Mean New Purchases

With the recent increase of students (my beginner’s English class for primary school kids) came yet another equipment addition: Two water dispensers. One for near the classroom and one for the small assembly hall, where students hang out playing games while waiting for class.

Laos is hot. Drinking is a must and water is guzzled by all on an hourly basis.

Water sanitation is a concern throughout the country. We all drink bottled water, which is ordered in hefty tanks and delivered to us in the big city. The Center receives 10 jugs a week but we’ve had only 1 dispenser, quite old, which all use.

Due to more donations from so many of you familiar with the Center and my work here, we were able to purchase 2 new dispensers at $90 each for a total of $180. The company brought them over last week and they are now in full use by everyone.

The two taps, boiling water and cold water, allow for numerous uses. For the staff and myself, our energy levels have been boosted with so many boiling hot cups of instant coffee which we guzzle on a daily basis. (Thanks for that!)

For the students, it’s been filling their water bottles to drink from as they dash around the courtyard, playing games before class. Or for the older students, re-hydrating in the classroom as they participate in the lessons which Shaloom and I have been teaching.

Here are some photos. Santi below is unpacking the box and I’m the first to enjoy a nice cup of water, before students arrive. Thank you again for those who have given to our Center’s special funding. We are NOT wasting your thoughtful gifts!

New Classroom Set-up: Blessings from More of Your Funding

Also keeping me busy last week was setting up my classroom for my new students, ages 7 – 9.

There were so many runs on my motorcycle to the D-mart (similar to the Walmart) to load up on folders, markers, pens, paper, bulletin board, containers for better organization and a large whiteboard. When traveling by motorbike, I can only carry so many items. It took me 3 days of navigating the main city road to the store but I picked up all I needed.

Then came the pricey ($400) but spiffy new Epson Projector, to display my necessary PPTs (Power Points) for better educational learning. With Shaloom using the older projector in his class, I was left with none for mine.

Not anymore!

Last Friday, I spent the entire day at the Center preparing my room. Suher, our caretaker for the Center, helped me move in tables, set up the projector, hang the whiteboard and bring in chairs. By 5 p.m., the close of my day, I was ready for my Monday afternoon class. What a feeling of accomplishment, relief and excitement!

Want to see the week’s results of my efforts? See below my new students, some of whom chose fun English nicknames while others stuck with their shortened Laos versions. I have Pizza, Fanta, Phoy, Namwan, Louknam and Fon. (Yes, I’ve got all girls!)

Monday’s Holiday: Teacher’s Day

The 3-day weekend, with Monday celebrating Teacher’s Day (recognizing the Laos educators) had Shaloom and myself preparing the students to thank their teachers.

For the Junior High, we practiced a script in both English and Laos which we recorded and posted on the Center’s Facebook page. It read as follows:

Happy Teacher’s Day!

Dear Teachers, We are thankful for your love. We are thankful for your care. You guide us in our studies. You help us in our lives. Thank you and we love you!

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For the elementary school classes, Shaloom and I had our students make cards to give to their teachers on Friday. I certainly didn’t expect to receive any of these but I had a surprise.

Since Shaloom took over my older class of students, two of them decided to gift me with their artwork as a thank you for our time together. That was so thoughtful!

And on that last note, I leave you all with my heart full of gratitude, joy and appreciation in serving here in Laos as a teacher and the director of this amazing educational center.

Happy Teacher’s Day!

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Last week, We Escaped the Floods

Posted on September 20, 2024 by connieinasia

It was 2 a.m. last Saturday, early morning.

The downpour was horrendous! I waited anxiously for the knock at the door, the one from my neighbors telling me it was time to move from our ground floor homes to the empty apartments on the upstairs.

I’d never in my life experienced such a deafening torment of water, nor growing fear that perhaps my place of work, the Santisouk Language and Vocational Center, was flooding.

Warning had been Given

A week ago last Friday, all of Laos (including Vientiane) were fearful of the Mekong River overflowing its banks and flooding the entire city. And for good reason! Just look at the below picture of the Mekong River, to the very brink of overflowing its banks and inundating the city with water.

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As advised by our book keeper Joan, before leaving our offices for the weekend, we began placing items of importance high up on cabinets: Printer, classroom projectors, computers, floor fans, extension cords all were shoved onto higher ground.

The preparation work took place on a very sunny Friday, not a cloud in the sky. How strange to know that heavy rains were coming along along with reports of the broken Chinese dam upriver. The dam waters were expected to reach us sometime that afternoon.

At 5 p.m., I hustled on my midnight blue Honda motorbike to the D-mart, my favorite shopping market downtown. I needed to stock up on food items in preparation of our perhaps future disaster. The check-out line was not quite as long as I had anticipated but people’s carts certainly were not a surprise: Overflowing.

While the Laos and most people, such as myself, were concerned mostly with feeding ourselves or our families, one foreigner was purchasing 5 sturdy shovels. One wonders if he was living in a low-lying area. I can understand maybe 1 or 2 but 5?!

My purchases I was able to balance in bags on my handbars and shove into my backpack on the way home. Zipping along, I came across numerous flood-prep sights.

My favorite street shop owner had hauled out empty bags, ready for sand-filling.

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Laos soldiers had set up a sand-bag distribution center, located in a corner block where residents could come to receive free materials.

While an excellent gesture, the problem was that citizens had to bring their own trucks or transportation for such supplies. It was a thoughtful gesture but not sure how many came due to the difficulty in acquiring a truck or car. So many here have motorbikes. Taking one or two might be an option but not sure how much good it would do someone whose entire house was threatened.

Some businesses had already set up their barriers but I did wonder how much use it would be. Once the river overflowed its banks, there would be little hope of holding it back.

Arriving back home, I took a picture of the roadway leading to my apartment complex and wondered if this might be the last time I’d be able to drive on it.

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The Sleepless Night

Once the 2 a.m. rain began, it just wouldn’t stop.

I quickly grabbed my phone and texted our Center’s caretaker, Suher. He lives at the Center, in one of the small classrooms which he has set up as a bedroom.

“Is everything OK?! I’m so worried!” I messaged.

I honestly didn’t expect a reply so early in the morning but I did get one, surprisingly enough.

“All is fine. Don’t worry,” Suher replied. “I will let you know if there is a problem.”

I next wondered if I’d find the road leading up to my apartment completely underwater. My apartment complex was closer to the river than the Center, and a tad lower in elevation as well. A brief lull, after over an hour, had me tentatively walking out to see what I might find.

The alley roadway was up to my ankles in water, which was quite disturbing.

Thank goodness my bike was safe, under the shelter with other two-wheeled vehicles. I’d have taken it inside at that moment but there was no way to get it up the entrance steps. It was too heavy for me so I just prayed it would be safe.

Yet another rain began close to 4 a.m. but not quite as brutal as the one that came before it.
Relief came when most of us woke up to a no-flood environment, our beloved vehicles still with us and ready to transport us around the city once again.

A Week Later

Here we are a week later, with most nights full of rain but days of sunshine and the Vientiane city flooding fear in the past, at least for now.

Classes, by the way,  have been outstanding as Shaloom and I settle into our second week.  Our primary school and junior high students had such fun with all the activities we planned.  After a full day of their own tedious school work, one would think they wouldn’t be too enthusiastic about more learning after school finishes. However, we try to make it a joyful experience, one that brings encouragement and laughter. I can’t all our classes are going to be as uplifting as those this past week but we’ll definitely do our best to make sure at least a majority of them hold their interest.

Another Class to Begin for October!

On a very exciting high note, I have another class to be added to my schedule beginning September 30.

The primary school beginner level opened for registration 3 days ago and I already have 5 enrolled. I will be teaching these youngsters while Shaloom takes over the older ones, mostly due to his entry into this position as a novice teacher. Teaching beginners takes skill and while I’m not as adept at elementary education as I am with older students, I’m getting there.

My 7 – 10 year olds will be starting with the alphabet in the Let’s Go Book 1 and continue onward at a fast clip, or so I hope.

The weekend is now upon us and I am so grateful today’s Friday is not full of the anxiety and concern of last Friday. While we’ve had constant rain all day today, the waters are not rising, thank goodness.

Now my only concern is praying the roof holds. We have 3 ceiling repairs of water damage which will take place tomorrow. I’ve already had numerous spots taken care of. Now more to go before classes begin on Monday. Ugh!

Here’s hoping your weekend is a joyful one. From Laos, this is Connie signing off.

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