Xieng Khouang day two was focused on a visit to Lathsene village, where a preschool will be built from the money raised through the Schools not Bombs campaign. We were a big part of that fund raising and it was great to be able to witness the birthing of it. Partnering with Give Children a Choice, a organization with a strong mission to build preschools in Laos, the group trekked into the bomb affected village. We first had to visit the Ministry of Education in Xieng Khouang to view the signing of the memorandum of understanding but once that was done we headed straight away to ban Lathsene.
The village was off the beaten path along unpaved roads and along the way we saw: villagers, goats, water buffaloes, cows, chicken, ducks and other rural sights. By the time we got to the village we were wondering where it was because there was just fields and fields of rice and corn. We pulled up to the area where the school was being built and there it was...a few men were just laying the foundation and framing of the school. It was a very good feeling to know we are helping a village to expand its educational needs. 
We were then summoned to meet with the students and villagers and finally had a baci ceremony lead by the elders to end the visit. There was a bit of confused coordination going from one room to another but we made it through.
Next stop after the village was a visit to World Education Consortium, a organization that educates people about the dangers of UXOs. They are about advocating and prevention of harm, as its difficult to ask people in poverty to not till the land or search for scrap metal to survive. Yet, that is all they have.
The real tragedy of this is that UXO really affects not just one person but a family, a whole group of people. When land is not available to use...what can these people do to make a living? They are farmers. They grow vegetables and rice and herbs to sell and barter and trade. That is their livelihood. No many choices. We met two young men who volunteer with Consortium World Education to be examples and guides in such activity. They both lost their arms to a unexploded ordnance and have such incredible stories to tell individually. Being in their presence makes the work we do so much more important as they put in time to help others from possible accidents like they've had. 
Finally we ended our day at the MAG Foundry of Xieng Khouang. Mine Advisory Group works throughout the country in education and removal of UXO. The foundry is where metal is collected lek seet scrap metal and many UXO and metal remains of the war are compiled. 
It was a true sight to see as we realize the immense work that needs to be done to clear the landscape. Hundreds, thousands, millions of the ordnance pollute the land...at this foundry was a very small, small portion. Yet, for the group this was a lot. 
Many types of ordnance lay around gathered and piled in groups, from small acidic nails, bullet casings, grenades, bombies, mortar shells, bomb shells, etc...military metal gear found all in the Lao earth. Pictures tell it all.
Xieng Khouang. Xieng Khouang.
