Lao Help Lao, Ban Sapai Model
How far can a Lao help another Lao to make a jump from living in a bamboo hut to living in a nice brick house? There is this amazing town near Pakse called Ban Sapai that is transforming from a dirt poor town into a thriving community. The secret is the will of the people to band together as brothers and sisters and helping one another for the sole purpose of improving the lives of their villagers.
The people of Ban Sapai are not much different than other people in many villages in southern Laos. They are mainly farmers and merchants, trying to make a daily living from their surroundings. One thing the people of Ban Sapai have in common with many towns in Laos is the fact that some of their relatives are living in the third countries.
After all these years the villagers were scrapping for food and getting by. Those with relatives in the US or Europe have a better life with money flowing in. One day, one brave person, or a group of people decided to come together to help the entire village. These group of people were no other than former Ban Sapai members that are now living in the US. They started a club called Ban Sapai Samakom, along that line. The members pay a certain amount of monthly fees, like $20.00 for example. The money is pool together to develop Ban Sapai, one family at a time. By pooling the money together and villagers helping each other to build houses, buying farm equipments, putting in electricity, or water, Ban Sapai has quickly emerged into a more modern village.
Somehow the relatives of Ban Sapai are sharing the burden of helping their relatives in Laos together. They are sharing the cost of each development project. They have this narm nung jai deaw gan (one river, one heart) thinking. While these former villagers are living in different states, they would come together each year for Lao New Year Celebration. When they go back to their hometown, it is one big happy family visitation.
If Ban Sapai can do something like this, what about other towns in Laos? Is it possible for the former villagers to come together to rebuild their hometown and help even those that are not their relatives?
Did Darly said this style of home goes for nice 100k?...
It's Friday.
I know of tai ban Sapai, they are so passionated when their village name comes up. Their heavy Laotian accent is most noticeable. When run into each others, one would make the other feel so loved and connected like they were the last twos on earth, last of the Mohecan. Standing there watching them greeted each others, one could just tear. One could invy them, they would reached out tried to identify with one another right a way, tried to find out if they were blood tied. Eventually they would be of somekind of relations. They would have the "Don't mess with us" kind of attitude. I know a few in my short live life. Their love for one another makes non tai ban Sapai ashamed. If all Laotians would treat each others like tai ban Sapai do, Laotians all over Laos would be without love, would know no hunger, sorrow, or pain. Everyone would be at peace, love, and full of happiness. As Laotians I wishes this much. If we can just place tai ban Sapais' mentality into our hearts and minds. A tai ban Sapai asked me the other day, "Pon eur, euy ar sai jao dur, euy yak pai kai (sell) kong yu boon suang haur." Stupid me couldn't do nothing to help her. They only allowed 5 sellers at the event. The 5s have already been chosen. Each seller is selling for their team to raise money for their community. She came too late and can not sell. I know the person a long time. She is the most dedicated woman I ever known. I feel so love by both husband and wife. When referring to his wife, he would say, euy Jao (your sister). And the wife would do the same, ai jao (your brother). When I see this post, I was speechless. For the longest time I thought I was the only one left in this world. Now I don't feel that way anymore. I am not tai ban Sapai but I feel like one. I am tai Lao. "Amazing grace," how wonderful you are Laovoices.com. Your knowledge of Laos and its people shows that "No one is left behind."
Sabaidee Amphone,
Thank you so much for your comment. I found out about Tai Ban Sapai from my aunt in Pakse. I was talking to her about how much I want to do for Laos and how I wish my relatives would feel the same way so they can help their village.
My aunt then told me about Tai Ban Sapai, how they care so much about each other that it's so unbeliveable until you see thing with your own eyes. It's possible to rebuild Laos, even from scratch if all Laotians would love each other that much to help not only their relatives but their own people 0r tai ban deaw gan.
I will post some pictures later of Ban Sapai. My aunt will do some investigation about their economic development and tell me about it later. I want to see if it's possible to adopt their model and use it somewhere else in Laos. That would be only possible if the whole village would join in and have this one heart and mind set of Tai Ban Sapai.
Rebuilding Laos is a task for all that have tie to Laos. A lot Laotians here or abroad have lost the spirit of banh (village) and muang (town). Vientiane has many banh and tha seng (major) but thats like a melting pot now. Correct me if you think I said this wrong.