From the age of 13 to 20 Ken Pisapheng, son of a tomato and chilli-growing farm family, was a monk at Sakam Monastery in Laos. He then wanted to become a doctor but found the entry exams were too difficult, so he did a marketing course. Now he runs House of Dreams, a tiny charitable dormitory in Luang Prabang for half a dozen kids from poor Khmmu-tribe rural families. The kids, in their early teens, attend a local school and at the dormitory they study English and computers together in a green-and-blue painted room, sitting on the floor and using low desks.
Our RCCMS Laos party visited his House of Dreams in November. We met Ken, met the kids and met Zach Benson 23, a London lawyer who is spending a month at the premises teaching English as part of the “Travel to Teach” voluntary movement.
Ken founded the school in May 2012. “I love kids and ManU,” he says, referring to their white puppy named after Manchester United. “The kids do have a school in their Ban Phadeung village but not enough teachers for all the classes, and the teachers have not graduated from college or uni. The kids also live far from that school and have no transport. By living here free of charge, they have hopes for a better job and life from education. And they get their first experience of city life in a safe way. I am sure the kids will make their dreams become true, and they will become adult leaders of their village community.”
Nee-Phaimanee, aged 13, says her village school was too far for her to walk there. She also had to get up at 4.30am to steam sticky rice for her family. She wants education so she can become a doctor and help sick people in rural villages.
The puppy ManU also has his poster on the wall, saying that his favourite thing is to ride with Kenny on Ken’s scooter.
Lawyer-volunteer Zach says another law graduate in London inspired him to come, saying her time at the school had been the best summer of her life.
Costs for the dormitory are tiny by Western standards but a difficulty for Ken, who chases donations. The current year’s rent has been paid by Rod Fraser’s Your Own 2 Hands. Our party led by Roy Garrett kicked in $25 per head which paid the year’s power bill. Ken is still trying to raise the funds for food ($3000), water ($170), and drinking water ($60). To donate, contact Ken at
ken_pisapheng@hotmail.com
Left: Kenny and Phaimanee with their puppy ManU.
