Big Brother Mouse, Luang Prabang
Practising English with Lao students, meeting Dawn, and the stories that inspired the Nam Ou trip.
Big Brother Mouse, Luang Prabang, is a must do volunteering experience.
Back in 2024 my friend Jocelyn @heehaw716 put me onto this amazing literacy project for Laos locals and students. I went alone, met Leefong and James, and left on such a high. These students were driven and humble and it hit me how much we take education for granted. We are lucky to have access to education.
Two years later we had to go back. This time we met Dawn. 17 years old, looking after eight younger boys on his own, the youngest only 10. He has been showing up here three evenings a week for two years to practice his English conversation. No big deal made of it, he turns up every time. We was genuinely humbled sitting with him.
I also met Yeng and Sing, both at university, both dreaming of studying abroad one day. We are still in touch with Dawn and Yeng which says it all really.
Colin and Ian run it and you can tell they really care. The moment you walk in you feel welcomed. Afterwards we all went for a meal with the other volunteers and it was a brilliant way to end the evening, everyone sharing their stories. One of the most rewarding experiences of my life. In 2024 the students stories about their villages planted a seed and inspired us to eventually get on the Nam Ou river. By 2026 we had lived it out.
If you are ever in Luang Prabang, do pop by the Big Brother Mouse.