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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The First Week of Center Classes Has Ended: What a Thrill!

Posted on September 13, 2024 by connieinasia

For the past three weeks, the news from my office manager has created quite a stir leading up to the Center’s school year opening this past Monday, on September 9. Every morning or afternoon, Khamxay has been announcing the following:

“Connie, Mew has invited her friend to join the junior high class.”

“Connie, we now have 4 enrolled in the new adult class, maybe 5.”

“Connie, the parents want a class for beginners in English. Can we add it?”

What has brought about the fame of our language Center? It’s been excellent advertising by office manager Khamxay and my adept poster guy, Santi, not to mention word-of-mouth that we have not only Connie teaching, but Shaloom as well.

Photos of last semester’s ending, certificates in hand and enthusiastic reactions, along with visual invites on Facebook, have given us quite the reputation in this city of 850,000.

Creating an Organized Environment of Learning

When I arrived in Laos and took over our only group class of 4, I had very little preparation time. No rooms had been arranged for proper teaching. (This rented compound and building were created for offices, not for classrooms). I had no funding yet to purchase what was needed. And with so few students, there was no need for larger spaces.

When Khamxay began announcing more student enrollment and more classes, my teaching skills went into overdrive. We needed a proper set-up with classroom rules, material table set-up, tidy folders for students, pencil-pen baskets and spread-out ability.

It took a week, but I got us ready to go in the largest room I have. Thanks to so many donations from the US from many of women’s groups and others, look what I’ve been able to do! (That’s a slideshow below, by the way, for those now familiar much with computers. Pointer on the picture, you’ll see arrows, you can progress to the next one.)

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As was my habit in China, I put together my own textbooks for the junior high (In the Classroom with my Foreign Language Teacher) and the Adults (Let’s Share in English).  My elementary education course already has an excellent published series, Let’s Go, which I love. No need to bother with them.  However, I  included for all levels copies of a beginner’s Laos book for children  which I purchased in America for my personal study of the language.   We can all learn together.  Maybe some of those new sounds and vocabulary will stick. It’s been 8 months now and I am making very little progress, I’m sorry to say, in communicating in Laos with others.  I use a lot of gestures and enacting to get my point across.  One can only hope these next months I’ll see some improvement 

Classes begin, including guests from America

The Monday to Thursday schedule is as follows: Junior High, 4:30 – 5:30; Elementary Ed, higher level, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.; Adults, 7 – 8:30 p.m.

Monday and Tuesday had somewhat slim numbers with many not yet registered but by Thursday, we had both former students and new ones join us.

I have 10 in junior high, with more considering to join us. See below our pictures. (Another slideshow)

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Shaloom and I have 8 elementary ed, starting in Book 4.

The adult evening class for now meets twice a week, Monday and Wednesday for 1 1/2 hours. Most likely, we’ll add a 3rd night as most older learner prefer 3 times a week, not two.

At present, we have 4 in the evening adult class: A primary school teacher (Nuk), a Department of Labor government worker (Noon), a college student majoring in English (Fei) and an investment broker (Boia). Nuk, by the way, is one of the teachers at the nearby primary school that I teach at on Friday mornings for my outreach program. She teaches Grade 4 and hopes to have one of her colleagues join us. The principal was likewise considering the class but she works so hard and is exhausted by the evening.

An Exhausting Week but a Joyful One

Yes,I’m glad the weekend is almost here but the joy in seeing the Suntisouk Language and Vocational Center finally begin to be noticed is such a thrill.

Soon, Shaloom will begin to take over his own classes and we can teach simultaneously, in different rooms. Due to his newness to teaching, and to Laos, he will not yet be thrust into the classroom on his own. For now, he is assisting me, getting to know the students and learning the craft of educating, lesson planning, classroom management and tricks of the trade. September 24 – 26 will be his time to shine with me as observer and assistant. Finally, September 30th will see us separated: Him with the older children; me with the beginners.

As for junior high and the adults, we will continue to share these together until we get more students, meaning more classes.

Flooding Emergency Announced: Help!!

Before closing off, we are at present having a flooding emergency warning going out for our area. That includes my apartment as well. The Mekong River has reached record highs due to torrential rains and the city itself is expected tomorrow to receive the deluge of water from a broken China-made dam to fully reach us.

Let’s pray all my preparation work above, and all the success of the week, doesn’t end in tragedy with the Center sent underwater. There is no place for us to move things to higher ground as we are all at floor level. See below what is already happening near the river, which is less than a mile away from us, somewhat near our doorstep.

My apartment, by the way, is on the first floor. Yikes! In case the water reaches us, my rental guy (Sunitsok) already informed me that there are 3 apartments on the 2nd and 3rd floors he’ll be opening for us to hustle up there.

If there’s a knock at my door, I’ll be ready!

Yes, I’m definitely packing a suitcase when I go home this evening from the office. As for my midnight blue Honda Scoopy, parked with the other motorcycles outside my building, I guess she’ll just have to fend for herself.

From Vientiane, Laos, here’s wishing you a great weekend . . . and me a semi-dry one.

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A New Addition to the Center’s Family

Posted on September 2, 2024 by connieinasia

The Center’s opening after a restful summer break is nearly upon us. As mentioned before, we’ve been waiting for our new Global Mission Fellow (GMF) to arrive from Pakistan and arrive he has!

We had somewhat of a panic attack when he was told before leaving Thailand, where he received his Laos work visa, that he would be required to pay $2,000 US to land in Vientiane. Pakistan is one of those countries which has been unfairly earmarked by so many as a terrorist nation. It took us a great deal of paperwork to get him approved for a work visa here. Even with that official stamp in his passport, when I thought all was well and good, obviously it wasn’t

He was required to sign an agreement letter that he was responsible for the $2,000. When he notified me of this, I told him to play dumb upon entering Laos, show him his stamped visa and we’d pray he could get in.

However, I did bring that asked-for wad of cash with me, just in case. I wasn’t about to let our 2-year new teacher be sent back to Pakistan after he was within hugging distance.

As it turned out, Shaloom made it through, my 100 dollar bills stayed in my purse, my office manager Khamxay and I got him settled into his new apartment home and it’s been smooth sailings ever since.(Knock on wood)

Whew!

See the pictures below of our Shaloom alighting in our midst on Saturday, including our preparation of his apartment to make him feel welcome and at home.

First Full Day in Vientiane

Shaloom and I had a get-to-know-the-city with a drive around on the electric motorbike which I purchased several months ago, just for GMF use. In Laos, there is no way to get around except by your own transportation methods. There are no city buses. Taxies are the only way but with our distant church being 35 minutes away, taxies don’t usually go that far. And if they do, they are very expensive.

Shaloom has ridden motorbikes before so this was an easy transition for him, although an electric bike does take some getting used to. It only goes up to 35 mph so when he takes off for church in the coming weeks, he’ll have to leave a lot earlier than I. My Honda Scoopy travels up to 120 mph, if I want it to. (I haven’t been that adventurous — I keep it at 40 mph at the fastest.)

Our stops in his neighborhood included the Center, a noodle lunch and market shopping for simple necessities.

His First Staff Meeting on Monday

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Our usual Monday meeting from 10:00 – 12:00 had everyone meeting Shaloom. Afterwards, we enjoyed take-out lunch on me.

And his first duty as a GMF? Helping Khamxay hang advertising signs for our new term!

A Busy Week Ahead

We are now open for registration. With Shaloom’s arrival, in October, we’ll be able to add more classes for more language learners.

During the month of September, Shaloom will join me in the classroom as my teacher assistant. He can learn a few teaching techniques while adjusting to a new country, a new lifestyle, a new language and a new adventure in life: that of serving, and learning from, the Laos people.

Stay tuned for more stories from Vientiane, where Connie’s fame seems to be spreading. Let’s hope this entices more students to enroll and becomes a promising start as we here in Laos exit the rainy season and enter into an exciting school year.

From Connie, here’s wishing you peace and joy for your week!

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Suntisouk Language Center Upkeep: Yikes!!

Posted on August 23, 2024 by connieinasia

“Connie!!” came Suher’s response as he raced to my side. “Are you OK?!”

Flat on my back, wet mossy slime seeping through my T-shirt’s back, I stayed put. I was mentally assessing any injuries, broken bones, cuts and scrapes I might have. Despite being in great physical condition, nearing age 60, one can never be too careful when it comes to falling down.

I had been racing about our cement outer grounds, checking up on preparations for a 2-day meeting to be held here, when I slipped. Our continuous rainy nights have left our inside campus area covered in green moss. I hadn’t realized just how slippery moss can be until the moment my feet went flying out from under me and I came crashing downward.

Yes, I survived, but it made me realize how very dangerous this was for the next day’s meeting.

We were to have numerous older people gathering to discuss matters concerning church service in the country. One small step on any one of those surfaces and someone might not be as lucky as I.

Also in my mind were the children. When classes begin in 2 weeks, we can’t be having our young students running about in such an environment and expect someone not to get hurt.

Thank goodness for my staff. Within an hour, a lawn roll had been ordered with delivery later that afternoon. We laid that down in a hurry, for a tidy sum of $103. One disaster averted.

Killer Coconut Trees

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Next on our safety list came those destructive coconut trees. We’d had tree-trimming take place several months ago without thinking of the coconut trees.

The recent downpours in the evenings are now sending coconuts crashing to the ground. Not only has this resulted in destroying a section of the classroom building, this likewise poses a hazard for anyone walking under them. A coconut can kill. If ours, being so high up in the air, landed on anyone’s head, a life would be ended or a substantial injury sustained.

Today, office manager Khamxay called our tree crew to remove the two which have already damaged the Center to a repair tune of $54.

Tree removal? $108, which we’ve scheduled for next Wednesday.

More Upbeat Improvements for our New School Year: Tables and Cabinet!

Last term gained us quite a notable boost in notoriety. The summer break has now had parents calling, asking when we’ll be opening, when they can sign up for courses and if we’ll be adding more classes to our slim schedule from last term.

As you recall, due to only 1 teacher being present (myself), we could only offer classes that didn’t overlap so I could take over the teaching schedule. We have a newbie coming soon, Shaloom from Pakistan, who will be joining me as a young volunteer through the Global Mission Fellows program. That will allow more classes with more classroom space needed.

With that in mind, it was time to go shopping for tables and cabinet storage space.

Four days ago, Khamxay and I hopped on board my midnight blue Honda Scoopy, drove 40 minutes across town to a Chinese importer’s office furniture warehouse and spent over an hour scouting out what might be available for the Center.

In the end, we ordered 12 top quality foldable tables and 1 bookcase for textbook storage. Those arrived today, for a total of $732. Assembly was included and the delivery guys hustled those into the rooms I designated for our new classes.

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Added to this display was my own personally purchased home item, a bookcase.  The arrival of my things from China, including hundreds of books and boxes of overseas’ donated school supplies, have left me somewhat as a loss where to put them.

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 I spotted what I needed at the furniture warehouse.  My purchase was therefore the second stop for the delivery men:  My apartment, where it took about 1 hour for them to assemble my buy.

 I can’t wait to get busy this weekend emptying boxes, organizing and putting away my treasured teaching materials from years past.  Since I didn’t pack these things myself, I’m wondering what exciting treasures I’ll find that I’d forgotten about.

In Closing:  Thank You, Supporters, for your thoughts and giving spirits

As you can see from the above, the dent in our special bank account, filled with supporters’ generous donations,  has been substantial: Over  $1,100 in a matter of a few weeks. Included in that amount has been events such as birthdays, welcoming visitors, lunches out as a team, and celebrations for successes achieved.  The Laos staff work hard, often going home late at night where family responsibilities await them.  Many have church worship duties to attend to (opening prayers, announcements, giving the message, communion) not to mention Saturday church commitments of organizational meetings or attending praise team practices. There is no day-off.

 For those of you who have been spreading the word about my monetary asks for the Center’s needs and also giving yourself, I can’t tell you how much this has meant to me personally.  Having the immediate funds to attend to matters that keep the staff, the students and myself not only physically safe, but extremely happy, makes us feel loved, appreciated and so very blessed.

And the new furnishings!  What a joy!  I now find myself eagerly walking into classrooms that now have sturdy tables, those which don’t wobble or have a leg that collapses out from under them due to screws which quickly come lose.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who have given my new placement this extra boost of renewed energy.  Your thoughts and continuous giving spirits continue to make life here special, unique and meaningful.

From Connie in Laos

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New Additions to the Language Center Family

Posted on August 13, 2024 by connieinasia

August is fast becoming the month of family here in Laos.

We’ve had new overseas arrivals joining the language center family.

After me being left on my own for nearly 3 months, three newcomers to Laos are about to grace us with their expertise, service-centered work ethic and strong desire to partner with the people of Laos.

We warmly welcomed David Kim and his wife, Sora Lee, on August 8, greeting them at the airport with signs, cheers and hugs.

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Thursday night had Sora and David settling into their apartment. I ordered out from an Arabic restaurant, one the many offerings on the Vientiane food App delivery service, and we enjoyed time getting to know one another. Although we’d been in contact via email and Whats App, this was our first time to meet in person. Very nice meal; very nice chat time.

On Friday, my office manager, Khamxay, was celebrating his 38th birthday. What’s a birthday without a pizza party and cake?! Not only that but Khambang, another of the Center’s Laos staff members, was celebrating her birthday on the 20th. So it was a double celebration, one on the day itself and one a tad early.

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Naturally, David and Sora joined us. More time to truly get to know one another. There’s nothing like a Friday party to get everyone in the mood for the weekend: Pizza, presents, pictures, cake . . . . We did it all!

I leave you with a final visuals of our staff team together. One member I haven’t mentioned yet. Can you guess which one it is from the below photos? I’ll report more in the next entry!

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A surprise visit from our Village Chief

Posted on August 1, 2024 by connieinasia

Khamxay and I were all alone in the office this Thursday afternoon when suddenly, through our glass door, we saw someone wandering around the Center’s courtyard.

With the summer break currently underway, there are no classes and thus the place is pretty quiet. No parents on motorbikes driving their children through our gates. No noisy kids running about, waiting for class to begin. No junior high students leisurely sauntering through the gates with cell phones in hand.

Just me and Khamxay holding down the fort, with caretaker Suher holed up working on his computer in the small dining room next to the outside kitchenette.

“Khamxay, ” I piped up. “I know that person! It’s our village chief.”

What’s a Village Chief?

I posted about village chiefs when I first came.

” Village Chiefs function at the lowest level of government. They are responsible for communicating and implementing central government policies while also playing a pivotal role in determining if what villagers want, or wish to avoid, is acted on.”

Vientiane (the capital city, where I live) has 11 districts and 152 villages. I would consider a village chief to be somewhat the equivalent of a US city council member, who represents different districts (neighborhoods) of a town or city.

To be a candidate for a village chief in Laos, the person must belong to the Communist Party and be elected by the villagers in the area. They receive no government salary but receive funding from the government for special projects and administrative costs. Monetary gifts given by residents for special events also help to pay for activities that all villagers are invited to, such as holiday celebrations thrown at the village hall.

Our Village Chief’s Visit

Khamxay and I scurried quickly outside to greet our surprise VIP visitor.

Village Chief Buaphaeng is new to the role, just having been voted into his position in January. I was invited to his meet-and-greet for our village, Bounphon. The invitation was quite an honor. In the past, the Center nor foreigner had ever been included in the opening meeting. How nice that I, a newcomer to Laos, was given a formal invitation to attend.

Part of that invitation was due to a more formal visit from me, bringing a gift basket on behalf of the Center and myself as the new director of SLVC. (See below)

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I also saw Village Chief Buaphaeng once again for Laos New Year festivities, the Water Festival, where I and staff member Khamxay enjoyed gathering with the neighborhood at the Village Chief headquarters to celebrate.

What was the Visit’s Occasion?

Today’s visit had Mr. Buaphaeng doing his neighborhood rounds. He mentioned to Khamxay that he heard a “boom!” and was driving around back alleyways and down side streets, ours being one of them, to investigate. Our gate was open so in he came.

I must say, our Center is not in the best condition. As you know, we suffer from plumbing problems, roof leaks, broken concrete, gutters in disrepair and rusted.

Thank goodness for Suher, our recently-hired caretaker. One of his first tasks had been tackling weeds. He’d taken a scythe and filled 4 bags of overgrown bushes and sprouting branches from tree trunks when he first came. What a magnificent difference that had made!

He’d swept well that morning so we were not littered with squashed mangos (all dropping from our mango trees), the constant deluge of fallen leaves or the giant palm branches as well as coconuts from our coconut trees.

Yesterday’s task had him scooping up with a shovel the sticky muck that had gathered under the motorcycle shelter. Our incessant rain, day and night, has caused gushing riverlets carrying dirt, leaves, and twigs to pool where we park our motorbikes. Our bike wheels had been slipping and sliding under the muddy mess. And when we dismounted, our shoes became caked in filth which we dragged into our office spaces. Suher’s efforts took care of that one, as you can see below.

One less humiliating visual our village chief had to survey.

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We are definitely tidy but in obvious disrepair. As a language center, compared to all the fancy ones around the city (which charge hundreds of dollars for classes), we don’t present the best appearance. Yet we now have a growing reputation for not only being affordable and accommodating to our learners, but having very professional teaching, above and beyond those other pricey establishments.

After our brief talk with Mr. Buaphaeng, his first time to visit us, we invited him into the office for a water bottle give-away (this is the go-to gift handed out to all guests in Laos) and some hard coffee candies. That’s all we had to offer. He guzzled the water and took a sparse few candies for his pockets. We then ushered him out the gate for him to continue on his rounds.

I did make sure to thank him for welcoming me to Laos with invitations to our village events. That made me feel like a part of the community, as a foreigner.

He also answered me in English, which I was quite impressed by. Not many village chiefs can communicate in English. It certainly is needed as the ex-pat community in the capital city, Vientiane, is substantial. So many foreigners here: overseas NGO’s, embassy workers, international schools, travelers, retired folk . . . This is why we offer free English classes to village chiefs who would like to learn enough to talk to their foreign visitors. Hopefully, those will start up again in September.

Other Moments of Embarrassment

Aside from the state of the buildings, we had two more embarrassments of note.

First was my attire. I was not expecting the need to look somewhat decent or presentable, especially with the relaxed schedule. I had on my ragged jean shorts and Laos T-shirt which, while clean, was not exactly the appearance one would want to present to your village leader.

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The second was our two Laos thatched-roof huts.

I inherited these from the previous director who bought them 5 years ago for kids to hang out in. As it ended up, there were no kids as no one signed up for classes years ago. When Covid hit, the Center went to a few online teaching courses. And currently, none of my students want to be outside in the heat while waiting for classes. They are in the main hall, playing tabletop games in the air-conditioning, or enjoying throwing basketballs into the one hoop we have. So basically, for 5 years, the huts just sat there and became more and more dilapidated as the years went on.

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I’ve been here for 7 months and have wanted them gone but keep forgetting to bring it up in our staff meetings as we have so many other issues to deal with.

Khamxay’s remarks after our village chief left , however, certainly put those huts at the top of my things-to-do list once again.

“Connie, you know, I was so embarrassed,” he lamented as soon as we re-entered the gate. “I wanted to hide my face in shame when the village chief saw those huts. His eyes looked at them and I know what he is thinking. How ugly they are. So Terrible!! We must do something. It looks bad for our Center.”

“I know, Khamxay,” I responded. “I absolutely agree. I had that on my list months ago but just got busy with other things. Don’t worry, though. We’ll get this taken care of!”

I then went directly into my office, opened the computer and put on our agenda for the weekly Monday morning meeting: “Ugly Laos huts: Repair? Sell? Haul away? Other ideas?”

I’m not forgetting to deal with these eyesores this time around. Our village chief said it all with his tell-all glance, according to Khamxay’s astute observation, so deal with it we will.

Until next time, Connie in Laos signing off.



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“We’re at the Chinese Embassy. Where are you?”

Posted on July 24, 2024 by connieinasia

Truck arrives

Well, folks, it’s been some morning.
After numerous back-and-forths with the Guangzhou China Shipping Company agent for the last 3 days, my things from China finally arrived.

They left Chengdu on July 11, arrived into Laos on July 21 (Sunday) and landed in Vientiane yesterday. My Chinese exchange with the China representative had him wanting to deliver on my phone call, immediately, at 5:30 p.m., while I was sitting leisurely in the office with Santi and Khamxay.

“NO!” I adamantly said. “Tomorrow. Wednesday. 11 a.m.”

I was asked to link him to my apartment building’s location, which I did, and was OKed for time and place. I prepared my apartment space with care and was ready to go!

On time. . . Somewhat

At 11 a.m. ,when I got the call from the Laos driver, I had not a clue what he was saying. I had to hang up on the poor man, send his number to Santi (one of my staff in the office who serves as translator), have him call back and figure out what was going on.

“They are at the Chinese Embassy,” Santi reported back to me.

What?!! Why at the Chinese Embassy?

Obviously, the agent in China didn’t send them my location. And the fact that my address was typed and clearly stated IN ENGLISH didn’t help. (How are these delivery haulers, who haven’t had much education beyond grade school, supposed to read an English address?)

Since the stuff was coming from China, they assumed it might be a Chinese embassy new arrival, thus the stop in front of the Chinese embassy.

“Don’t worry,” Santi quickly piped up to my moans and groans. “I will lead them to your apartment.”

And lead away he did! (See us below)

Connie and Santi

At 11:35, the truck pulled up. Four Laos workers descended from the vehicle’s cabin to begin unloading. Under my direction, we made very quick progress.

Making Someone’s Day

It is not the custom here to tip but I have always been one who knows how such gestures brighten a person’s day.

I knew it would be a challenge to get across my requirements for this move. I had a system and a plan in my head to make a smooth transition of the entire enterprise. Getting it translated well enough so as not to cause annoyance was another story but Santi did a great job.

The 4 workers were not too thrilled with my plan that we open the boxes quickly to make sure other boxes weren’t inside. The shipping company reboxed some of my previously boxed and labeled items, meaning that I wanted to get rid of excess cardboard as soon as possible. Easier to do that outside than in my apartment.

When Santi made this request, I could see the bemused looks on all their faces, including eyeing one another with a very readable, “What is this foreigner thinking?! We are going to unpack her things and put them away for her? She’s nuts.”

Santi and I worked together to explain just a quick knife-slice of the tape, peek-a-boo inside to see if already boxed or not and then immediate carry-in was all I desired. I furthermore added I’d help if they’d like, after presenting them with my kitchen parring knives to add further ease to the ask.

Once we had that established, and started in with this whiz-bang approach, they were a lot happier. It went very fast and included me handing out candies from my candy bowl as they did their back-and-forth journeys.

Checking boxes

The discarded boxes, wooden crate materials and bubble wrap were gleefully stacked and hauled away by my apartment caretaker. He will be making quite a bit of money off of those with our neighborhood recycle guy who pays by the pound for paper and other products.

When all was finished, and my signature on the release form, I gave one last request: Come into my home so we could take a picture together.

It was obvious that they just wanted to get on their way but 3 of them were actually quite eager to have our photo taken together, a first for them with a client.

Santi did the honors with my camera . . . .

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And then I did the honors with my purse.

Talk about surprise and appreciation! They were so happy to get a little extra added in, something not expected. It wasn’t much, equivalent of $4, but enough to fill a motorbike tank full of gas and a meal.

A Third Floor Moving Story

Thank goodness I didn’t live on the 2nd or 3rd floor, like my Korean neighbors. Their things were brought in 2 truckloads and the poor Laos handlers had to carry not only boxes but furniture, and an upright piano (!), to the 3rd floor.

I know for a fact they didn’t get a tip. They certainly should have.
I still remember watching 8 Laos men struggling to get that piano up the stairs to each landing

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It was a scary moment when it looked as if it would slip. As I watched with great concern for their safety (forget the piano — it was dangerous to lift that thing on slippery tile!), my Korean neighbor was chuckling.

“You see how many Lao workers are carrying that,” he somewhat scoffed. With arrogant pride, he added, “In Korea, two men only to move my piano.”

That didn’t sit well with me.

“In Korea,” I shot back, “I doubt they had to carry it up 3 flights of stairs.”

Didn’t get a response to that one.

Welcome to Your New Home

It’ll be at least a few week’s task unpacking and sorting through things: tossing, keeping, giving away, recyling (loose papers, folders, unwanted books are included in those heavy bags lining the wall) and then pondering more if I want certain items tossed or kept or given away . . .

Still not sure what emotions will follow as I come to grips with this very personal move.

One chapter of my life closing; another opening up.

Signing off for now,

Connie in Laos


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Buddhist Lental season tomorrow; Monday Holiday

Posted on July 19, 2024 by connieinasia

“Connie,” Khamxay, a wide grin on his face, reported to me with his cell phone extended. “I have something to tell you. We have a holiday on Monday. Women’s Labor Union Day. No work.”

He showed me the official announcement from the Ministry of Education and Sports, highlighted in red in the Laos language.

Oh, how we all love to hear that announcement! 3-day holiday. Whoopee!

In the office today, I announced to the staff and was then told by Santi about yet another holiday of sorts, that celebrated by the Buddhists. Tomorrow begins the 3-month ‘Lenten season of Buddhism.

According to Santi, thousands will be visiting the temples tomorrow, with flowers and offerings as this special religious season begins. Devout Buddhists make sure not to eat meat or harm living creatures (I wonder if that includes insects?) for the next 3 months. They live as sacred a life as they can mange, honoring the teachings of Buddha.

“You’ll want to go out to see this in person,” he told me. And as it’s a Saturday, I’ll have plenty of time to do that since the office is closed for the weekend.

My research led me to the following, which you can read below:

BOUN KHAO PHANSA (BUDDHIST LENT) – 20 JULY 2024

Held on the full moon, this festival marks the beginning of Buddhist Lent, the three-month period of monastic seclusion and meditation during the rainy season, when monks are required to stay within their wat. Monks are traditionally ordained during this period.

Many devout people often abstain from alcohol during this time. In the early morning of Boun Khao Phansa, people prepare donations of food, especially “Khao Tom” (cooked sticky rice wrapped in banana leave), and necessities like soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes and towels for the monks. Most temples are busy during this time with people making merit and giving donations. At the end of these merit-making activities, the monks will recite the teaching of Buddha and tell the history of the Buddhist Lent to temple-goers. Later in the evening, monks, and novices cannot leave their monasteries to become lay-people and traditionally lay-people are not allowed to get married until the end of the Buddhist Lent or Ok Phansa. Ok Pansa is one of the most beautiful times to visit Laos 

Pouring Rains Dampen Spirits

I do wonder, however, if our continuous downpours might cause temple visitors to delay their arrival times for worship.

Usually, our horrendous rains hit at night while we are sleeping but yesterday, Khamxay and I were stuck at the office until 6:30 p.m. as we waited over an hour to leave.

While I had only a short 5-minute drive home, Khamxay had a 40-minute drive ahead of him back to the church as he and his extended family are currently living in an adjacent church building while they wait for their house to be finished. It’s in the beginning stages of being built. Without anyplace to stay, the church offered a building for them to live in with a few rooms. No air-conditioner, no kitchen facilities or bathroom. Plus having to drive that awful church road mudpit, every day, is bad enough after the rains but a lot worse in the smack-dab middle of them.

We eventually gave up at 6:30 p.m. We exited in a torrential raining-cats-and-dogs situation. If we’d stayed, we’d have been sleeping at the Center because that rain just wouldn’t give up. (It continued until 3 a.m. in the morning.)

Before heading out the office door, Khamxay’s sister and brother-in-law face-timed him that they were hungry. Can you pick up take-out on your way home?

A Quick Note about Khamxay’s Sister

His 36-year-old sister is expecting her 3rd child any day now. I am sure she has been feeling very uncomfortable lately, due to her currently huge size.

I’ve worried how the family will manage to get her to the city hospital when transportation might only be a motorbike. There is an old car but last time Khamxay and his dad took it out, they had a flat tire and no money to get a spare or replacement tire.

The average Laos woman doesn’t have the luxury of picking a date and time for induced labor, then leisurely go to the hospital to have this done. Such costs are not in budgets, especially when there is no income and having a child (roughly $250) is a matter of borrowing from numerous friends and family members. Therefore babies here, like in the “old” days, come at any time of day or night. And with weather conditions so unpredictable during the rainy season, one wonders what future family stories of “when you were born” might include a drenched Mother (in labor) holding on for dear life while on the back of a motorbike that is slipping and sliding through the muck and mud.

I could see on that video chat that everyone looked stressed and tired.

His sister was loudly scolding the oldest child, who was messing about in the background, and her husband was muttering something or other in the Laos language concerning not sure what. It was late, too, and everyone must have been hungry, which put everyone not in the best of moods.

Before Khamxay took off, with me to lock the security gate behind us, I handed over some money for a meal on Connie.

“It’s for your sister,” I told him. “She needs a substantial meal to keep up her strength for having the baby. And you all need just as much energy to help support her. Get something good!”

After Khamxay arrived home, he thanked me for the treat. He sent these pictures of his roadside take-out stop in the wet and gloom, later followed by happier postings, that of his close knit family sitting down together to eat.

Looks like everyone had a lot better dinner than I had with my measly chicken and vegetable concoction. Not very tasty but it was something to eat.

Closing Off

I’ll do my best to zip about the city tomorrow, taking pictures of those entering temples and what they’re purchasing. It is not appropriate to take pictures inside temple areas. I’ll just stick to outside. Maybe I can slip in between a downpour, if we end up like we did yesterday.

And let’s pray that Khamxay’s new little niece (yes, it’s a girl!) holds off long enough for a no-rain trip to the delivery room. Keep his family in your thoughts and I’ll keep you all updated on the baby’s arrival.

Connie in Laos

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Some Fun Last-week Experiences

Posted on July 16, 2024 by connieinasia

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Friday had me once again at the primary school, from 8:30 t0 11:00, teaching Grades 1 and 2.

A new experience for me was during the 30-minute break between the 9:30 – 10 a.m. class.

The children were allowed to visit the student concession stand, which sells all kinds of single-serving packet snacks. Potato chips, corn curls, peanuts, marshmallow packets, cookies, juice cartons . . . The children race about with their money, able to buy whatever they want while teachers stay in the classroom or lounge around outside.

I sat under a courtyard tree and was immediately surrounded by different age levels, all of whom knew me as I have taken turns teaching them all. Some remembered our lessons together and began doing our English chants of songs. Others just stared with wide-eyed wonder, listening to those of the higher grades communicate with more than “OK”, “Yes” or “No.”

I have 2 children at this school who have exceptional English skills. Both have parents that are in business and speak to overseas’ clients. Both could actually have decent conversations and they certainly had a lot to say!

This caused some astonishment among the others, who stood by in awe and wonder that the strange sounds coming from all 3 of us actually were understood and had meaning.

As for most surrounding me, our communication was limited to lots of gestures and exaggerated facial expressions on my part to get across my English as well as limited Laos. I’m hoping all of this improves in the next several weeks as I work on my language skills.

A Sunday Pitstop After Church

My 35-minute drive to and from church takes me through several small towns and country roads. It also includes me holding my breath, praying that I don’t end up sprawled on the side of the road due to the mud and muck after our continuous heavy downpours. With little ability to go around puddles, you just have to plow through the deep water and pray the tires don’t suddenly slide out from under you, sending the motorcycle careening to the right or left.

At the outskirts of one of these towns, I’ve continuously whizzed by the chicken barbecue roadside stall without ever stopping. Going to church, I’m usually worried about making it on time for our 10 a.m. service. Returning from church, I’ve already had our substantial lunch served after worship and, as it’s usually around 1:30 p.m., I just want to go home. I’m tired!

But last Sunday, I was feeling overly energetic and sociable so I stopped.

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These are entire chickens, skewered and grilled, brushed with a flavorful and spicy sauce or (if you prefer) just left plain.

The cost for one was 84,000 Kip ($3.40). Once purchased, the sellers would chop it up for you and place in a plastic bag for take-out.

The popularity of this particular place has always astounded me. It’s very busy. I counted 53 chickens sizzling away.

I would have purchased one but I was a little short of cash. I’d already spent over $15 at the church, purchasing 40 plastic bracelets for the youth fundraiser. I certainly didn’t need 40 plastic beaded bracelets so I ended up passing out to all the ladies and young people, anyone who wanted one. Certainly made my day, and theirs, but it left me with little to spend for a chicken.

I made motions of an empty pocketbook but next week, I’ll be sure to bring enough for a purchase or two. That will make for a tasty Sunday dinner.

Yum! Can’t wait.

From Laos, here’s hoping the beginning of your week is a good one.

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