About
Laos, surrounded by China, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia, is as big as England, but with as few inhabitants as Switzerland. It has beautiful nature, the people are extremely friendly but the population is young and poor. 1/3 of the population still lives on less than € 1 a day. That said, Laos remains one of the poorest countries in the world.
My Norwegian great-grandfather was one of the first European traders to travel up the Mekong into Laos at the end of the 19th century. My grandmother, was lao, born in the capital city, Vientiane.
With these roots, as a young girl in 1969, the first time in the country, I felt my ties and vowed to one day return to the country of my ancestors to “give back.”
It wasn’t until later in life that I was able to fulfill my vow and was able to return to Laos.
Since 2011 I have been in country regularly to run my diverse projects. I know the country and the people very well, especially through my work with local craftsmen, hotels, NGOs, schools and hospitals. On the board of the organisation “Legacies of War”, I have gotten to know the consequences of the Vietnam War and been able to work with ambassadors and government representatives.
Colonization, wars, tourism and the current pandemic have all major, predominantly negative influence on the development of this third world country. I firmly beleive that the best way to help is through education. The Lao people must learn to invest in themselves and in their children (NextGen) to build their country.
Now, completeing the circle, with Next Gen Laos e.V., I hope to make a difference.
Suzette Gabriel-Schöbitz
Founding Chair
