2004 Programs and Events

NAS Project Provides Clean Water and Other Benefits In Luang Prabang Province (Nov. 2, 2004)

Embassy Narcotics Affairs Section Director Dave Wise meets farmers in Luang Prabang Province.

Narcotics Affairs Section Director Dave Wise visited the Lao American Project in northern Luang Prabang province (LAP) October 27–30. While still in its early implementation stage, the LAP continues to progress. Working closely with district and village officials, there is ongoing crop substitution, embroidery, sanitation and clean water construction, and opium detoxification. Road construction to new target villages is on track, albeit on a reduced scale, due to budgetary limitations.

At Thongsi village, several farmers are growing soybeans, pineapple, and several varieties of fruit trees, including mango, papaya, pomelo, and lychee. The fields are located down a steep ravine from the village, in order to tap into a nearby stream. A district agricultural officer is advising the village. The most serious problem is irrigation. The farmers have built a small reservoir, but the water must be transported to the nearby fields by manual labor. To address this problem, the LAP is working with the district in developing a gravity irrigation system.

At nearby Thongtai village, Wise observed a number of Hmong and Khamu villagers working on embroidery. This is another LAP-supported activity intended to provide alternative income. Thus far, eight village women have received the 15-day training given by an expert from the Lao Women’s Union (LWU). They, in turn, are training other village women.

Wise traveled about 15 kilometers on one of the three new penetration roads being built to reach new and future project villages in the district. (Note: A “penetration” road is the most basic type of road, just about three meters width, without drainage or gravel, and not compacted. Penetration roads are generally impassable during the rainy season. End Note). The “package one” road, ascends northwest from the road where most target villages are currently located.

LAP continues to install gravity fed clean water systems in target villages. Surveys have revealed that clean water remains a top village priority and, at about USD 8,000 per system, very cost effective. The clean water systems, among other purposes, serve to liberate women and children from the difficult and time-consuming task of hauling water long distances (generally uphill) from streams. Wise discussed implementing a clean water system at Thongneua village. The village is considering moving a few hundred meters, according to the village chief, because there is no water source higher than the village. Whether or not the village moves, LAP will proceed with implementation. However, with its present location, villagers will have to walk several hundred meters to water taps.

At Thongnuea village, one of the target villages slated for the sanitation project, the village is anxious to receive the first toilets. Thongneua’s village chief said that many in the village have traveled to the district capital and seen the advantage of better sanitation. The chief added that one of his main goals is to improve overall sanitation in the village “for the sake of our children.” The project in Thongneua will cost only about USD 60 per unit and it meets one of the village’s major priorities. In addition, the LAP has worked out a repayment system with the village whereby the cost will be repaid, not to the project, but into a village management fund that will provide for the upkeep of the sanitation facilities.

With minimal support from the LAP, villagers have constructed a detoxification facility just outside Phongxay village. Thus far, the facility has detoxified 53 addicts from neighboring villages, with 26 more in the ongoing session. Of the 53 treated in the first two sessions, “only a few” have relapsed, according to Kamte Son, head of the detoxification center. Four provincial and district medical staff supervise the facility.

During our October 29 visit, there were 26 patients, including six women. Ethnically, the group was a mix of Hmong and Khamu. Their ages ranged from mid-20s to about 70. One of the women, who is 30 years old, was there with her five children. On October 29, the group was about 60 percent through its 17-day program. Several patients told Wise that, during the first two or three days, “we felt very sick.” However, with rest, some medicine, better food, and exercise, several patients said that they were feeing much better. They also said that the main reasons for volunteering for detox included the scarcity of opium and a desire to improve their health and economic well-being.