Day 12 - Luang Prabang Good Causes

Sabaidee,

David and Chris woke up and thankfully David felt significantly better. We decided to again head to Joy's Restaurant for a late breakfast. After the best tomato soup, baguette, fried eggs and omelet,  (Its amazing how much we can eat when the food is that good!) David felt much better after the breakfast and we were both full for the big day ahead :)

We headed to the post office and picked up the books we posted ahead from Vientiane for the LEOT English Learning center in Ban Panluang, Luang Prabang which is run by a lovely gentlemen by the name of Alan Shiel and supported by donations from around the world. The school was built and serves as an amazing place for many students and buddhists to come and learn english. Many volunteer teachers from around the world come to teach here and it is so inspiring to see the spring in the kids step and some have to walk a very long way to and from school. This inspired us to donate 3 Bicycles and 10 helmets to keep the kids safe when they ride to and from school. We also purchased another Bicycle for a boy at a village Phonsay which Alan suggested really needs it as he walks up to 5hrs to and from school to learn. Tomorrow we will be visiting his village to present them with the Bike as well as the local teacher with some advanced learning books and a number of ABC and Momosign books for the little kiddies :)


We loaded the bicycles onto a Tuk Tuk and followed them to the LEOT Learning Centre to bring some smiles to a number of students in need. When we arrived with the bikes we went into the classrooms and Big Chris talked to the students to ensure they understood the importance of wearing helmets out on the road and handed out the helmets to those interested that didn't already have a helmet. Presenting the first bike to a lovely 20yr old girl who really wasn't expecting it. Alan mentioned later when we returned to the school that the girl had come to him in tears after we left and said "Nobody has ever loved her that much before". Alan explained that of course her parents love her just as much but arent in a position to give her some things. When we heard this it brought a tear to our eyes and again we felt very humbled by the experience. We gave another bike to a young boy at the school who was very excited by the gift and promised to always wear his helmet! Alan will keep the last bike to give to another student in need when the need presents.

Smiles all around we headed back to the town center to have a drink and give out some books to some children and adults in the market. Later we headed back to the school to have dinner and a few drinks with Alan, we got to meet HP (Cannot pronounce or spell his name) who's brother Dan is the sole teacher in Phonsay village and will be taking us out to the village tomorrow morning to present the bike and books for the students and teacher.

We also visited the Laos UXO visitors centre and made a donation which was a sobering experience and i will let the pictures do the talking far below.

Today marked the end of our first Indiegogo Campaign for our Riding Laos for Good Causes and we have raised a mammoth $440 USD in donations from friends, family and strangers around the world that liked the cause. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the support you have provided us with, you have helped to make a significant positive difference in many many children's lives.

Hope you are enjoying the ride and well see you all tomorrow! :) Choo Ai Nip Noi.

Below are some photos from the UXO Laos Visitors center.