Want to be active in the Khong District?

Would you like to do more than just visit the projects? Do you want to advise or teach? Then be prepared! Read the following texts and discuss the matter with others.

Responsible charity works both ways 

We don’t develop people, they develop themselves. It’s fun for both parties, and also educational, when you actively participate in the development of the locals, and also of yourself. Check the webpage called Two Cultures. You’ll read about the challenges we face in understanding each other better.

Consideration

At first it’s not so easy to make yourself useful in Laos. Our president lived there for almost 4 years and his wife was born in this region (Ban Thamouang). The president needed almost a year to be able to adjust to the local conditions before he could start being active for the foundation. 

You don’t need to wait that long though! You can benefit from our experiences from the last few years. Help that hasn’t been thought through enough will not benefit anyone. People give up halfway, don’t want to start again and can’t be bothered to start a new activity later on.

Of course plenty is possible!

You and the locals can benefit from the experiences that we have had in the last 6 years. More and more people have experienced activities from our foundation and you can use these experiences. Your activity will be a continuation of something people already know. Leave the stressful Western life behind you, relax and listen to the people. Then you’ll have an amazing time!

Keep an open mind

Work for our foundation starts by observing the people and listening to what they have to say. Then ask questions so you’ll understand the situation even better. After that you can tell them your own ideas, but in a subtle and decided manner. Don’t give people and information overkill. Give them time to explain your idea to each other and to discuss it. You’ll receive attention and respect when you can do all this in an informal manner. Telling jokes and keeping the conversation light will make sure that the atmosphere is the best it can be.

You don’t like know-it-alls and world-changers either

Work for a charity works two ways, so be prepared to be enriched by stories and ideas from other people. You’ve already achieved a great deal when people ask questions about your ideas. Maybe visits from a few other people will be necessary before everything is discussed. And a few more visits before things actually start to change..