Charlotte: PR and Communications Volunteer 2009

 I have spent three months living in Vientiane, Laos, and working as a volunteer Communications and PR Manager for SEDA. The experience has been, at times, both challenging and very rewarding.

Coming from a background of working for a large corporation in the private sector, working for a small CSO has been a culture shock. It has taken me some time to adjust to a different style of working and the cultural and language barriers.

Overall, living in Laos has been wonderful. It has given me the opportunity to meet many interesting and diverse people. I have found Lao people to be some of the warmest, most generous and most fun people I have met on my travels. People here are always willing to share what little they have, and to invite you into their homes and families: it has been a truly humbling experience.

 I would recommend for future volunteers to dedicate some time to traveling around Laos and see the more remote and rural areas. Laos has some stunning natural landscapes and fascinating village life.

Charlotte participating in Bacii Ceremony

Charlotte participating in Bacii Ceremony