Book Party at Ban Namakang School

Sabaidee,

Today we visited the Ban Namakang School in Khammoune Province to take a book party to the 87 Students at the school. Our friend Mr Vongsamay Malibayphit and his lovely wife had contacted the school governor at The Lao Department of Education for Khammoune Province and identified this school as one of the poorer schools that would really benefit from the support.

Firstly thank you to all who helped make this a reality.

The Malibayphit Family at the Sainamhai Resort (Mr Vongsamay, Mrs Guut, Angela, Luna and Nana Malibayphit) for your help and support in arranging the event and helping us to arrange the purchase of the uniforms, the work you do to support the local community, villagers and the disabled is an inspiration.

Mr Martin Momoda, creator of Momobooks.org. Your tireless efforts in creating the Momobooks resource for the laos people has helped to change generations to come, now working hard in Guatemala to create learning resources for the people there, keep up the great work!

Mr Cheunxalay of Phaxay Graphic in Vientiane, thank you for printing the books and helping to arrange our stickers etc.

Amarin Wattanasakorn and Chris Corbett, thanks for your help organizing the paperwork for the bikes and of course Amarin for keeping our well oiled machines in fantastic condition!

Last but certainly not least, to all of those who have and are still donating to our cause, we could not have done this without your support, generosity and kindness. Bless you all!

Now for the good stuff!

We started the day at the Sainamhai resort where we had the books and uniforms prepared as well as the lollies, drinks and soccer balls donated by the Sainamhai team for the party. After loading everything into the Sainamhai van we headed for the school with a brief stop to pickup an official from the Khammoune Dept of Education who helped select the school to help.

Shortly after we arrived at the school in Ban Namakang where the children, teachers and the head of the village were awaiting our arrival. After unloading the goods, the students assembled at the front of the school for the presentation.

One by one we presented the students with their new uniforms, books, pencils, lollies and drinks. Such a moving experience, many of the children had tears in their eyes during the event, it was very hard to fight back the tears of joy in seeing the smiles on their faces and knowing what a difference this will make to their futures! Very emotional to say the least.

After an amazing time handing out the books etc to the kids, and some lovely words from the Head of the village and the education spokesperson, Chris stood in front of the school and explained why we are here and what we are doing, which Vongsamay translated for all. After many cheers, claps and tears, we were invited to the head villagers house where they were holding a "Baci" Ceremony in our honour. This involved many Lao Whiskey's and some Beer Lao. Such a wonderful and heartwarming experience..... Feeling very blessed :)

All in all a fantastic day, we arrived back at the Sainamhai in the afternoon and headed to the room for a nap after the many lao lao whiskys (Moonshine Rice Whiskey) :)

Korb Jai Lai Lai and stay tuned for many fun times ahead!

Regards Chris and David