Athletes on the course through the streets of Luang Prabang
As you might know, health care in developing countries is usually not as good as in first world countries. Since Laos is one of the poorest countries in South East Asia, especially children suffer from this disadvantage. That’s why there is Lao Friends Hospital for Children. Like all social projects, the hospital is dependent on donations and volunteers. To earn money, there’s a charity half marathon yearly in luang prabang.
Offering health care in a poor country
Lao Friends Hospital for Children is the second hospital of Friends Without A Border. It’s located in Luang Prabang and provides free heath care to 15,000 children yearly. Children travel from all over Laos to receive the medical care. This might sound extreme, but there are still children here that die from treatable diseases. Since February 2015, the hospital tries it’s best to reduce this number – with success. It’s the first full-service pediatric hospital in northern Laos and, like their first hospital in Anchor, one of the most important health care facilities in its country. For more information, please visit their webpage and feel free to support them by donating or sharing their page.
A marathon to help children
The leader in the morning hours
Luang Prabang Half Marathon is now existing for three years. This year, the donated money is used for Lao Friends Hospital for Children. A lot of volunteers helped to organize the marathon, stopped the time and ensured that every participant was going the right way, had enough water and got food afterwards. We, of course, were there to take photos and capture the event.
Main field at sunrise
Not least because of the high temperatures and humidity in South East Asia, did it meant getting up really early in the morning – the first runners started at 5:30 am. But it was worth it: It has been an important and interesting event and we are glad we were able to help keeping this event in memory. There were tracks with lenghts of 7km, 14km and 21km. The runner’s enjoyed helping to ensure better health care for children in Luang Prabang and surrounding villages and the hospital is happy to be able to expand there work and stay one of the most important hospitals in Laos.
Athletes crossing the old bridge
But where are you heading to now…and why?
On the way down to Vang Vieng
Well, we’ll make a trip from Luang Prabang via Vang Vieng and Vientiane (capital of Laos) to Bangkok by bus and train. We wanted to see a bit more of Laos and Thailand and, of course, we will tell you about our experiences. In addition, we will get some new hardware in Bangkok to finally be able to present you some movies from our trips. So stay tuned for more “Aelizebeth in Laos” – and a bit “Aelizebeth in Thailand”.
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