The Wobbling Sprocket

Every year in Laos, we have contributed funds to a local school along the route. We all kick in and come up with maybe $300 or $400. This last year Howard Stauffer, who was on the tour, decided to out do his nickname (“Big Ring Howard”) and enlist his Rotary Club to raise enough funds to build an entire new school for Ban Van Tang Village! A $10,000 project. Right on Howard!

The classroom being replaced is pictured at left. It has a dirt floor and as you might imagine from the light shining through the walls, the wind blows right through it. It will be replaced by a substantial cement-floored building with several classrooms.

There is little in the way of educational infrastructure in Laos. For a village such as Vang Tang, the new school will be a dramatic improvement. Children in Laos are the central focal point of most families.

Vang Tang is a small village of about 500 people that is located in the Northwest part of Laos. It is about 1/2 way between the Pak Beng and Odomxay. The map below, which is courtesy of Travelfish.org, will give you a good idea of where Vang Tang is located.

Anyone who has traveled in Northwest Lao has to be impressed with all the kids that run from several fields away and hang out of every window to yell, “sabaidee” as you pedal by. They are seemingly always happy. They leave a lasting impression on those that pass through these villages

The project of constructing the building is already progressing with phase one nearing completion. The entire project is scheduled to be finished around August, 2008. Additional funds are necessary to complete the project.

Credit for initiating this project goes to Howard Stauffer. A majority of the funding for this project is coming from the efforts and generosity of the Arcata Sunrise Rotary Club located in Northern California of which Howard is a member. Additionally, the project would not have been possible without the efforts and assistance of Mr. Ken Phetxayphone of Samlaan Cycling. Ken worked with the Village Headman and the Lao authorities to put together the needed plans and gain the necessary approvals and administrative structure for the project.

I plan to post updates on the project. On the Feb, 23, 2008 Lao tour, we will stop by Vang Tang and visit the school.

Best,

Bob