What can you expect?

A visit to a project is a very unique experience. You can meet the locals in a very informal manner. Transportation can take place by scooters/motors, by car, by boat or even on foot.

A lot is possible, but please remember that during the rain season many areas will be hard or even impossible to reach.

The KDC will show you around with pride and do their best to give you an unforgettable experience. They don’t have much experience with showing around foreign visitors but they are aware that their visitors have different expectations about hygiene and other matters than the locals do. That’s why they will make sure that all the food has been prepared in a hygienic way. Hot water will be taken care of so that you can bring noodles if you want too. Most places have toilets. You will have to take care of your own drinking water though.

What will be expected of you? Tips and considerations

·         Of course you’re expected to behave like a guest.

·         Clean informal clothes are fine, shorts are good too.

·         You’ll receive more respect when you don’t conduct yourself in a loud manner and when you don’t walk right in the path of old people.

·         Peeking into houses and pointing at things or people will not be appreciated, same as in our own culture.

·         Make eye contact with the people you want to take pictures of first. Then ask them (using a gesture) if you can take a picture. If you ask this while smiling, most times it won’t be a problem

·         When you hand out candy or money, you can’t give every person the same amount. Mostly this won’t make the mood better, especially behind your back.

·         It’s better to by some Laotian kids’ books and hand these out. These will definitely be read and passed on. They’ll be surprised because people in the countryside often don’t have books.

·         Handing out balloons is fun for everyone.

·         Clean clothes can be given away. Discuss with the translator and the concerning village elder which family needs the clothes the most.

·         The village elder will also help you give drawing supplies, sporting goods (a football is always very much appreciated!) and other things to the local school. Girls get forgotten a lot, they love to dance but most schools don’t have a cassette recorder, CD-player or tapes with music.

·         Of course you don’t have to give stuff away, this will make the local people expect more from future visitors.

·         Be kind and curious towards the locals.

·         Of course you can read other do’s and don’ts on our website.

Most important: Enjoy the experience!