Humanitarian support for a remote village in Laos

I travel from the U.S. to remote areas in central Laos to further my research of Colonel Carter Luna, a USAF pilot who served in the Vietnam War. He became missing-in-action on 10 MAR 69 and is still unaccounted-for today... almost 55 years later.

During my last trip to Laos in March 2023 I went to the remote area where Colonel Luna was last known alive, and also visited the nearby village of Kok Mak. My driver, guide/translator and I met the assistant village chief who helped us locate crash sites of U.S. aircraft in the area. To show our appreciation for his help, and to offer humanitarian support to the people of Kok Mak we purchased food and bottled water (for drinking) in a nearby town. I also brought small items i.e. inflatable balls, crayons/pencils, stickers from the U.S. and bought books in a Laotian city for the children.

I posted photos taken in Kok Mak on social media and as a result several people asked me what they could do to help the people of Kok Mak. It was obvious from the photos that they do not have the same standard of living that we have in the U.S., for example, their bathrooms are squat toilets (similar to what we know as an outhouse). I decided that the most practical thing to do was create this Go Fund Me account to accept donations. Donations will be used to provide humanitarian support to the people of Kok Mak when I return to Laos in March 2024. I will purchase food, water, small personal items i.e. toothbrush, hair brush, and first aid supplies. I have already been purchasing items to take with me such as: crayons, stickers, coloring books since the children really liked receiving things like that last year.

Traveling to remote areas of Laos presents certain challenges but the trips have been an experience of a lifetime. I sincerely appreciate anyone who wants to be part of my Missions in Laos* experience by making a small monetary donation to provide some basic necessities to the people in Kok Mak.

* Missions in Laos is the name that describes the purpose and goals of my research and travel in Laos. It is not a non-profit organization, therefore, donations are not tax deductible.

More information is available on my website: www.missionsinlaos.org