Laos was settled by Thai tribes from China during the 13th century C.E., and the area was unified under one government in 1353. It has been ruled by Myanmar (Burma), and beginning in the late 19th century C.E. by France. It was occupied by Japan during World War II. Laos achieved independence from France in 1949. The Lao People fought as allies with the U.S. during its involvement in the Vietnam War. After the U.S. military left Southeast Asia in 1975, Vietnam invaded Laos. Many Laotians sought refuge in Thailand and the U.S.
The major language is Lao. French, English and Vietnamese are also spoken. The Lao People are predominantly followers of Theravada Buddhism (60%) and Islam (40%), but there are small numbers of Christians and followers of indigenous religions.
There are several significant ethnic groups in Laos which fall into three general categories: the Lao Loum inhabit the lowlands, the Lao Theung occupy the midslope regions, the Lao Sung are generally in the highlands. Within these general groupings there are over 50 ethnic minority groups in Laos, some of which are ethnically related to ethnic minority groups in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and China.
Laos is economically one of the least developed and poorest regions of Southern Asia. Most of the terrain is rugged and heavily forested. Transportation and communication are very difficult. Flooding is common during the monsoon and the lack of infrastructure makes the distribution of disaster aid difficult.
Many Laotians have been displaced in recent years by economic development projects that were poorly thought out and administered by major western multinational institutions including the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. These projects included the dam-building and mining developments.
There is little access to health care in Laos. Foreign debt payments have limited the ability of the government to promote and provide opportunities for education and literacy training or to provide safe drinking water supplies. Women and children are frequent victims of kidnapping for export to neighboring countries for the sex industry and other forms of forced labor. Land mines are a continuing threat to the Laotian people. Nearly 30 years after the Vietnam War ended, millions of unexploded land mines remain and cluster bombs- scattered throughout the agricultural areas and forests. Tens of thousands of lives and limbs are lost every year.
The Laotian economy is dependent on the production of rice, coffee, corn, sugarcane, water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry, textiles and garments, electricity, gypsum and tin, wood, cement and gems.
Dangers, Xuyen
Laos
Xuyen Dangers is a social worker in Laos/Vietnam. She serves as a Social work supervisor of Donkoi child center and 5 other centers, Social work advisor, Faculty of Social Sciences, and the National University of Laos, for Church World Service and Witness (NCCC).
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| Special Projects -- Giving Opportunities in Laos |
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