"...I am working at a local NGO called Huam Jai Assasamak (HJA). The Lao government does not actually allow many local NGOs so most have to work under the umbrella of an INGO. This puts HJA in the CUSO office with two other local organizations, one about sustainable forestry and agriculture (SAIF) and one gender development group (GDG). All three groups are on the cutting edge of their field and the work they do never ceases to amaze me.

Next week I will attend an organic farming/bio-extract workshop in a remote village with SAIF. In 2003 GDG released the first ever study on Domestic Violence in Lao PDR and they are the organizing committee of the Gender Network in Lao. GDG is very well connected to other NGOs, government organizations and international organizations.

Last week I was able to tag-along to a United Nations hosted meeting about country coordination. It was at this meeting that I met a wonderful woman from the World Wildlife Foundation. They are introducing a new way to look at conservation and poverty alleviation and they want the other INGOs to participate but the INGOs said “You're preaching to the converted!” But then she cleverly gave examples of some food security projects that have led to the destruction of endangered species and also massive soil erosion. She also pointed out some simple steps that could be taken to ease the impact of major infrastructure projects. I was so surprised that her perspective was about sustainable use and not just strictly conservation.

HJA is the office where I spend most of my time and right now the focus is the Youth Network development and smaller Extracurricular development projects. My days are usually spent writing project proposals and teaching English writing skills. In my free time I have become involved with DokJampa, a smaller youth group organized by my friend Somsy. I was recently the judge of a Singing Contest to raise money for local Primary Schools.

There are about 20 youth related local organizations and with HJA I will be able to visit them all. I am constantly amazed by how much these groups can do with so little funding, materials and academic support. They have so many great ideas on how to get the message across without preaching, using theater, music, games and hands on workshops. Children and young adults really enjoy learning about AIDS prevention, drug awareness, environmental conservation, traditional culture and other social development topics.

There are so many possible topics for my research and I am constantly fascinated by the processes that are going on around me. Trade liberalization is unfolding as I write this, literally, there is an ASEAN finance meeting going on today. The east/west economic corridor infrastructure development has already begun in one of the most critical ecoregions in the world. Many people believe that the stage is being set for a massive AIDS epidemic. And regardless of what happens this country is going to be a completely different place in less than 10 years. Over half the population is under 18 and this same generation has an unprecedented involvement in the global economy that their parents were simply not exposed to.

There are many lessons to be learned from Thailand about health, environment and social prosperity but at the same time Lao faces pressure from China, Vietnam and Thailand to swing its doors wide open to regional relations. And how much control can Lao really have it is so dependant on foreign Aid and business investment? I think the multiple hydro-power dams that have been constructed against the wishes of local people really reflect this relationship...

...I hope everything is well back at Mount A and I sincerely look forward to returning in September. "

Sokdii! (Good Luck!)
Chelsea