COUNTRY
Laos, officially the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, is a mountainous country in Southeast Asia. This state of more than seven million people has a low population density. Laotians live mainly in underdeveloped rural areas, where access to drinking water and sanitary facilities is limited.
Insufficient numbers of doctors and hospitals as well as an underdeveloped road infrastructure mean that people who live far from major cities have very limited or no access to medical care. As a result, diseases, which no longer pose a threat in more developed countries, kill many people in Laos.
ORGANISATION
The aim of Lao Rehabilitation Foundation (LRF) is to provide aid in the remote and vulnerable villages of Laos. This American organisation was established by Dr Luc Janssens, and brings together specialised doctors who regularly go on medical missions to help communities that often have no access to health care.
LRF is well aware that, in order to effectively impact the health of a community, it is not enough to provide short-term health care. It is necessary to ensure access to clean water, wholesome food products, and education. It is for this reason that, apart from organising medical missions, the foundation donates funds to communities to build water systems and educational facilities. At the same time, it trains and provides local health workers with additional equipment and medicines.
PROJECTS
Kulczyk Foundation supported:
- medical missions in Yord-Ou, Bounneu (Ban Yor Health Center) and Samphan District Hospitals in Phongsaly Province,
- a water project (Gravity Water Project) in Khoua District, Phongsaly Province.
