Learning Life Lessons in Laos
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 @ juliamkh
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The man gave me a wide toothless grin, immediately bridging the gap between our Laotian-English language barrier. He handed me a shovel and pointed me towards the rest of my group who had begun to dig out the foundation of the makeshift room adjacent to the school house. Our task was to work side-by-side with the villagers to create a cement floor for a usable classroom.
Earlier that morning, we had torn down the neglected side room, which had been exposed to the elements and was piled up with abandoned tables, chairs, and maps. As we cleared away the dilapidated remains of the schoolroom, we managed to upset some of the current tenants who had taken up residence there, including an alarmingly colorful snake, a dull brown scorpion (whose sting I’m sure was anything but dull) and a spider as big as my thumb.
The village was an hour away from Luang Prabang, where we were staying. On the first day of our volunteering experience, we were given a tour of the village. The houses were built out of concrete and were several stories high. Laundry lay limp on the line from the ever-present moisture of this climate that never lets clothes fully dry. The smell of something delicious wafted out of one of the homes, signaling that the noonday meal was quickly approaching. A single TV antenna stuck out abruptly from a nearby home, which I learned later was the only antenna in the village and therefore a popular gathering place for evening entertainment.
It took us several days to fill in the concrete floor, under a tropical sun that beat down on us unforgivingly. It was not an easy task to get the wet concrete up the hill from the spot where it had been mixed, but by creating a line standing shoulder to shoulder, we passed the buckets up the hill until the mold was filled. Every villager pitched in, from the energetic children stopping from games to cheer us on to the elderly who patiently dispensed their expert advice.
On the last day, I made my way up the steep hill that held the village temple. The exterior was lavishly decorated with colorful figures and intricate designs. I removed my shoes and slipped into the cool dark interior. I sat down before the central shrine and said a silent thank you for experiencing this unique opportunity.
Volunteering gave me a whole new insight into Laotian culture that I would have never experienced had I chosen a different travel itinerary. I got to experience firsthand how Laotians live out their lives in rural areas, where Westernization is just beginning to infiltrate their culture. I learned that contrary to my own Western perspective, life in a Laotian village was more complex than I had imagined. Each member of this community had a solid understanding of their place in social hierarchy in the village and how they contributed to the efficiency of everyday life within the village. I gained a deep respect for Laotian culture, and the people who welcome me into their home with open arms. Sadly, I know if I go back in five years, the one solitary TV antenna will have multiplied into many others, being the commonality not the exception.
Whether you are a college student looking for a different kind of spring break or an individual in search of a twist on your traditional vacation, there are endless volunteer opportunities for all interests and ages. It is a great way to give back to the locals, and learn about a culture in a way that would not be possible on a typical sightseeing tour.
Make sure that you use a reliable company to make your volunteer arrangements, so you do not end up getting scammed. You want to avoid the worst case scenario where upon arrival to your volunteer site, you find out that there is no promised project and that you were majorly taken advantage of. Make sure to thoroughly research a company and ask your friends and family if anyone has heard of or volunteered with them before. Above all, if a company is making you an offer that sounds too good to be true, than it probably is.
When arranging a volunteer experience, make sure that you understand what is included in the cost and what is not. Some programs give you basic housing and meals in exchange for your labor. Most of the volunteer hotspots are in third-world countries where the exchange rate is in favor of the U.S. dollar. If your meals and accommodations are not included in your program, you can easily live off of $50 a day.
It is not generally a requirement to speak the local language, since most volunteer programs arrange a bilingual group leader to help you communicate to the locals.
Lastly, remember to enjoy yourself in this new experience. There may be some days when you are homesick, tired or overwhelmed, but take everything in stride and remember that this is an experience of a lifetime that will stay with you long after your trip is over.
Some reliable volunteer sites:
G.A.P. Adventures
www.gapadventures.com/trips/activity/volunteer/
This company focuses on sustainability, utilizing local resources and supporting the local economy as much as possible. This site is better for shorter volunteer programs (under a month).
Transitions Abroad
www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/work/volunteer/index.shtml
An excellent website that has informative articles on how to study, travel, work and volunteer abroad. This site is better for longer volunteer programs (over a month).
