Children Charity Organisation in Laos
Supporting Children and Restoring Hope and Dignity to Many
Apr 15, 2009
Laos is the least developed and most enigmatic of the three former French Indochinese states. A ruinous sequence of colonial domination, internecine conflict and dogmatic socialism finally brought the country to its knees in the 1970s. Now, after two decades of isolation from the outside world, this landlocked, sparsely populated country is enjoying peace, stabilising its political and economic structures and admitting foreign visitors. The lack of foreign influence offers travellers an unparalleled glimpse of traditional South-East Asian life, from the fertile lowlands of the Mekong River valley to the rugged highlands, travellers who have made it to Laos tend to agree that this country is the highlight of South-East Asia.
- Laos is a small landlocked country bordered by Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and China.
- There is very little industry, 80% of the population work on the land, life expectancy rates are low and illiteracy high. Educational opportunities are often very limited and many young people only have 3 years education from age eight to eleven.
- Laos ranks among the United Nations 50 least developed countries.
- A large part of the country is still littered with unexploded ordinance from the Vietnam War.
Big Brother Mouse – Books for Children
Big Brother Mouse is a charity which promotes and supplies books to children to enhance their future and sustain an education into adulthood. This publishing project was started by a retired American publisher working with several bright and dedicated Laotian college students. The charity published and released its first six books in March 2006. The books are written and illustrated by Laotian writers, mainly college students who dedicate their time and talent – giving something back to the community. The writers have written traditional stories and educational text in the form of alphabet books and other beginner level books. The dedicated staff and volunteers of Big Brother Mouse lobby the Laos Government for funding to assist in the increase of educational opportunities in a country that has been lacking in this area of advancement. The organisation is based in Luang Prabang but also has offices servicing Vientiane, Savannakhet, Udom Xai and Luang Namtha. There's no distribution system for getting books into rural villages, some of which require a day or two of travel from the nearest road or navigable river. So book parties are held in a central area, families travel from distant provinces to participate in the party, the reward can be seen in the smiles of the Laotian children and the proud faces of their families.
Assist Big Brother Mouse
Help is always needed and listed are some ways that people visiting Laos or from their own country may like to contribute to the ongoing needs of the organisation.
- If you're travelling in Laos, buy booksat one of Big Brother Mouse shops, and take them to villages.
- Published authors can give Big Brother Mouse the rights to either publish the book in Laos or permit Big Brother Mouse authors and illustrators to use it as a base from which to create a Lao version of the book.
- Sponsor a book, book party or mini library
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