February 2018 trip with the Thai Lao Cambodia Brotherhood

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February 2018 trip with the Thai Lao Cambodia Brotherhood to visit 2 school projects in Xiengkhouang province sponsored by the TLCB,

Another trip with the TLCB at the end of a for me much larger trip to the south and central part of Laos - 5700 km. in 19 days. As usual the TLCB trip started again at Thanalaeng (Friendship Bridge 1) where I (with my truck) met up with the people who would be on this trip - Mac, Tim, Larry, Paul and "new-comers on a TLCB trip" Gill and Doug and our longtime friend and driver Somphou (with his van). The plan was to travel via Long Cheang and LS 20a for an overnight stay while on our way to Phonsavan.

The road from the Phou Bia mine at Ban Namgnon to Long Chaeng is being upgraded







The Sayphasert GH (Contact Mr. Xaysamone at 020-22140000) - Coordinates N19.10527 E102.92494


The wat which was built during the war by General Vang Pao is, after having been standing empty for many years, now again "alive" with monks and novices living at the wat.


The hospital which was built during the war and abandoned after the war has been replaced by a Health Center just to the east of the old hospital

Early morning in Long Chaeng at the runway of LS 20a


Looking to the east


and looking to the west with the "vertical speed brake" karsts at the end of the runway




Long Chaeng during the war and in 2016 as seen from Sky Line ridge

An early start as they are upgrading the road which runs from Long Chaeng to Xam Thong. As a result, the road is only open before 8 o'clock in the morning, between 12 and 1 in the afternoon and after 5 o'clock in the afternoon



A short stop at Xam Thong where the TLCB in the past has provided a new roof as well as cement for the floor for the local school







During the war Xam Thong was one of the places where supplies were stocked (rice, etc.) to be provided to local villages in the north of Laos. The only things left from that period is the concrete floor of the warehouse visible just in front of the school building and parts of a chimney of one of the housing units which now are gone.




Part of a chimney still standing near the school

air america chalet chimney by Auke Koopmans, on Flickr
and a similar chimney used in housing units in 1969 in Xam Thong

Road sign for a new track called road 5A which is a kind of shortcut to bypass Long Chaeng and Xam Thong - coordinates on the South side: N19.09405 E102.99942 near Ban Louangphanxai - North side: N19.20410 E103.01753




The remains of a PT 76 amphibious tank destroyed during the war - coordinates N19.32472 E103.14364

To be continued
 
"vertical speed brake"
Now there's a dramatic phrase!
Great to see those keen little students in their classroom.
 
"vertical speed brake"
Now there's a dramatic phrase!

Yes, in case you did not stop in time, this would be your fate.

Vertical Speed Brake in action.jpg
 
Part 2 of February 2018 trip with the Thai Lao Cambodia Brotherhood to visit 2 school projects in Xiengkhouang province sponsored by the TLCB

The next day the program started with visits to schools where the TLCB has provided funds to the schools to upgrade class rooms as well as school buildings. The purpose of these visits is to check on the progress of the activities for which the funds were provided and officially handover the project to the school. In this case 2 schools were visited:

Ban Khaivieng Secondary School (mainly Tai Dam students), Kham District, Xieng Khouang with the school serving 6 villages. The school received a TLCB grant to buy roofing tin, cement, sand and gravel so they can renew the roof of the school and to make a cement floor in the school building.

Mouang Ton Phousan School (mainly Hmong students) located in Ban Tajok (Thachok), Paek District, Xieng Khuang with the school serving 11 villages. The school received a TLCB grant to buy materials for a cement floor and school furniture to complete the school.


Ban Khaivieng Secondary School


The school building with a new roof


and a new floor


The hand-over ceremony and a baci ceremony, group pictures followed by a small party




Mr. Sengduean from the Phonsavan Education Department with some of the students of the school












Mouang Ton Phousan School


The school building with a new floor and furniture for the class rooms




The hand-over ceremony and a baci ceremony, group pictures followed by a small party

















On the way back to Vientiane and home via road 1D and 13S - the new bridge which replaces the expensive toll bridge (100,000 Kip to cross it) in road 5 from Ban Viengthong on road 1D to Anouvong (Xaysomboun) is now ready. The turnoff to Anouvong/Xaysomboun is at N19.06671 E103.35470



The new bridge which replaces the toll bridge - it looks like that the road on the other side of the bridge is now paved - I'll check it next month on my upcoming trip to Xam Neua and Phongsali in the north of Laos
 
Excellent!
A pat on the back to all involved and thanks for sharing this Auke. :DD
 
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