Know Before You Go: Laos

December 5, 2017

The Green Lion

Chansouk Keomany (Micky)

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and what you do?

My name is Chanhsouk Keomany, but most people call me Micky. I was born in the jungle and my family is part of the Khmu Tribe. We are called Lao Theung because we are midland part of Laos. I was a Buddhist Monk for several years and then I studied Law. After I obtained my degree, I joined TGL as the Country Manager for Laos.

What makes the country of LAOS so special and what do you love about living here? Where are you located?

Laos is getting to be more well known and beloved in southeast Asia, as it is now renown for being “Simply Beautiful”. Once called the “Land of a Million Elephants”, Laos is rich in cultural heritage and the people are always smiling and friendly. We are excited to meet new people and learn about other cultures.This openness one of the special things that I love about my country. I currently reside just outside of the capital city of Vientiane, where our programs are based.

What kinds of programs do you have here? How do participants get to placements?

At the moment we have several programs in Laos which allow you to get a good idea of what life is like in our communities. Culture-week gives you a bit of our history, sights, tastes and Buddhist culture. Construction let’s you get your hands dirty and make your lasting mark, as you assist in different community based projects. Teaching and Kindergarten/ Childcare provide an opportunity to work directly with the children in our schools, exposing them to new language skills and opening up conversations about the countries participants are from. Participants usually ride bicycles to their placement, but occasionally they are close enough to walk.

Have there been many international participants in your programs? (solo or groups, male or female, older or younger, avg # of participants, etc) Do you enjoy working with them?

We have been lucky to have participants from many different countries come to Laos to experience our programs. To name a few, France, Luxembourg, Sweden, USA, Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and Australia. They are sometimes in groups but mostly come alone, the ages range from 17 to over 80 years old. I have totally enjoyed working with all of them, because each person brings something new and different to the programs and they seem to enjoy Laos.

Once participants arrive, what can they expect? (arrival process)

Arriving participants can expect to be met at the airport or designated meeting point by one of our staff members who will have a sign that says “The Green Lion”. You will be transferred to our accommodation where you can be shown around the area and then go to your room. We do our very best to make sure that you feel comfortable right away and enjoy your time here.

How do international participants manage language and culture barriers?

Every International Participant who arrives for our programs gets an introduction or orientation into the culture and even gets a basic Lao language lesson to make it a bit easier for them to adapt and know how to interact with the local people before they begin their program. Even though it is new and different participants usually fit right in. They say that we are less touristy than some of the other countries in the region and they feel a genuine warmth and happiness here.

Can you share some important cultural customs, traditions, norms, or “need to knows” that would help prepare a new participant?

There are some Do’s and Don’ts that we cover in orientation that are really important to Lao culture. We always remove our shoes before entering the home or in our case the rooms shared by participants. We dress modestly, especially women. So you should avoid wearing very short or see through clothing around the community. When working at the schools or temples your shoulders and knees must be covered at all times. We find it most respectful to wear long pants or skirts. We also are very respectful to our elders, monks and nuns. Also, girls are only allowed in the girls rooms and boys in the boys rooms only. It is only appropriate for boys and girls to be inside together if they are engaged or married. It is out of respect for the Lao culture that we abide by all of these rules.

How has international participation had an impact on your programs and the community?

Sometimes the participant forgets that they are volunteering in Laos and not their home country. So they may expect the same exact standard they are used to seeing. Those things are too much because there is a different standard in Laos. Living in a different culture that means they may have to adapt, follow the rules here and hopefully appreciate things as they learn from this experience. I think everyone benefits from the experience, because we all learn more about each other. The good work that is done is building a foundation of good will and greater understanding that will benefit all those involved. Community members tell us that they like the exposure to other cultures.

What has been the response from the NGO’s and community about interactions with international participants?

Working with NGO and local community is quite good right now. Our international participants have made quite a good impression by doing good work and respectfully interacting with community members. It seems that the community is even more open to accepting our assistance and we continue to look at ways that we can be of even greater assistance to them.

How can a participant tell if your programs are a good fit?

The best way the participant can tell that our programs are a good fit for them is to do a little research into Laos and its culture, then check out our facebook page, read what past participants have to say and ask us any questions they may have. We welcome everyone to come and see our beautiful country and people. Laos may not be as developed, as some of the other countries in southeast Asia, but it is a very special place. So, if you want to have a good memory of working hard and making a difference, this is a great place to do that!

What can participants expect to experience in a typical day here?

A typical day starts with breakfast at our location and then your coordinator will accompany you to your program. Some will walk, if it is close by, but most will ride the bike a few kilometers to their place. After a few hours you will break for lunch and then return to our accommodation to eat and relax until the afternoon session begins. When the day is over you will return for dinner and have free time.

Can you tell me about the food and accommodation for participants?

For some, the food is a big adjustment. Lao food is not like most western type meals. We do try our best to include a few items that might be familiar, but we also want to share the local food experience with you. Our most important goal is to provide good, healthy food for participants during their stay.

What are the best places to visit or things to do on days off, while here? (weekend trips, local sightseeing, activities, food, etc)

The best places that we would recommend to visit on the weekend would be VangVieng and LuangPraBang which are both heading up in the Northern part of Laos. Participants could join some activities outdoor tours like Biking, Trekking, Tubing and Kayaking. There are some spectacular views of landscape and beautiful ancient history of local temples. Other natural areas of interest include Caves and Waterfalls. If they stay at the accommodation, they can head into Ventiane for the day to enjoy local restaurants, sit along the Mekong River or even visit the Buddha Park.

What facilities are available nearby and what can a participant expect to spend on weekly expenses here?

Everything a participant might need is within walking or biking distance from our accommodation. That includes: pharmacy, local market, ATM, and convenience stores. Most participants spend very little money during the week since they eat meals with us. Some do choose to buy snacks and soda from the stores right outside of our location or may get their laundry done at a very low cost. $30 per week should be enough for those things, but of course travel to other places on the weekends is an additional cost.

How can participants best contribute to their programs and their own experience?

Participants genuine efforts in their programs mean a good experience for themselves and those in the community they are assisting. Having a good attitude, being prepared each day, being respectful of Lao culture and sharing a smile with those people they meet can really make a difference. Some of the extra activities they contribute may provide learning opportunities that might not otherwise be available in this community.