LaLa Laos began several years ago when I received the Kindness from two women who came to Luang Prabang on holiday. We became friends and they gave me the great gift of sponsoring my college education. This changed my life. After graduating, I started this business so I can pay it forward.

So many children in Laos, especially in the countryside where I grew up, don’t have access to schooling past grade five. Boys have the opportunity to become a novice monk and receive an exceptional education at a school offered especially to the novices. I had the privilege of being a novice at the beautiful Wat Xieng Thong, here in Luang Prabang. My parents left me at the temple when I was just 12 years old. At first I didn’t like it. I wanted to go home, but now I am so grateful for the many gifts I received and the exposure it gave me to a bigger city with tourists from all over the world. Such a difference from my village where there was no electricity and only 300 people, most of whom are my family.

I left the temple when I was 18 to get a job and save for college. I began working as a server in a restaurant overlooking the Mekong River. This is where I met the two women, who I now call my American Mamas. Together we are on a mission to expand secondary education opportunities to girls living in the remote areas of Laos. We have created a dormitory in Luang Prabang where currently five girls are living (seen in the photo above), along with my 18 year old neice, who moved from my village. We supported my neice throughout high school and now she is studying to become a nurse. My wife’s sister lives with in the dormitory with the girls to care for their daily needs. My wife and I make their meals, buy their school uniforms, books and school supplies and have purchased a bicycle for each girl that they use to get to school and back. We also adopted my 5 year old niece, the daughter of my older sister, who sadly passed away two years ago. And we have a son of our own. LaLa Laos is funding the support of many children, and each year we hope to add more and more opportunities.

We promise that a percentage of every sale will go toward helping create a brighter future for Laos children. In 2019 we officially create the non-profit foundation called, Do The Kindness. You can visit that website to learn more by clicking on the DONATE button above. We are truly grateful for any assistance in helping our special children grow and thrive.