Washing clothes in Ban Kok Mak, Laos in March 2023
We at Missions in Laos feel that humanitarian aid is an important component of what we do. Susan’s experiences in 2023 and 2024 in the village of Kok Mak were something she never imagined that she would be doing. Being in a very remote village where some people don’t have electricity, use a hand pump to acquire water, and use “squat toilets” (like an outhouse) was a humbling experience.
We want to do what we can even if in a small way to help the villagers. One of the ways we can help is to provide the village people with food, safe drinking water, basic day-to-day necessities such as clothing, shoes, personal hygiene items, educational supplies and toys for the children.
In March 2023 Susan brought small toys and items such as books, crayons, pencils, stickers to the children in Kok Mak. The somewhat dubious but also excited children gathered around Susan and Mouk. Mouk was the guide/translator on the tour who communicated with the children in the Lao language. It was surprising to see the faces of the children as Susan demonstrated how to sharpen a pencil! By their expressions it seemed that they had not seen this done before.
Susan, Chris, and Mouk also went to a market in nearby Vilabouly to purchase food and water for the people in Kok Mak. Needless to say the people in the village were surprised by our gesture and very appreciative.
To say that it was a humbling experience spending time with the people in the village of Kok Mak is an understatement!
children playing with globe balls
During and after Susan’s trip to Laos in March 2023 she had a few people inquire as to how they could help the people in Ban Kok Mak. Of course mailing supplies from the U.S. to Laos is not feasible especially since there’s no mail delivery in Kok Mak.
In response to friends and acquaintances requests Susan established a Go Fund Me fundraiser account to further this effort. So far, this has been a successful endeavor that received generous donations. The money received purchased food, supplies, clothing, 20 pairs of shoes for children during my trip in 2024. With Susan’s personal funds she also purchased toys, hair accessories for girls, dog chain necklaces for boys, and books for the children.
All donations are greatly appreciated and will fund Susan’s current project to provide school uniforms to children in Ban Kok Mak. This will allow some children who otherwise can’t attend school to be able to. Also, money raised will provide food, supplies, clothing, shoes when I return to Laos in early 2025.
Link to GO FUND ME: https://gofund.me/2226af18
With your support eventually we would be proud to erect a sign in Ban Kok Mak that reads…
“This village was adopted by Americans who care.”
~ NEW INFORMATION ~
AUGUST 2024
UPDATE AUGUST 2024– Susan is in contact with a source who makes school uniforms for children in Laos. The seamstress lives in a neighboring province to Kok Mak. We are currently in the process of gathering information to determine how many children need uniforms, gender and ages of the children. I will continue to post information here as things develop over the next months. In the meantime the Go Fund Me account will remain active indefinitely.
02 APRIL 2024- The Go Fund Me account has been very successful due to generous donations, and there are still some people who have expressed interest in donating. I purchased a LOT of food, supplies: toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, baby lotion, kids shoes, and also I took things for the kids that I personally purchased during my trip to Kok Mak in March 2024. I still have money left in the account as I had to be careful of how much cash I was traveling with (throughout 4 countries) in addition to my own money for my personal expenses.
2024
Some of the supplies me and my team provided to the village elder
and village chief in Ban Kok Mak.
2023
