We were on our way to the small village of Ban Nam Dee, about 6 km outside of Namtha, a town in the Northern part of Laos, when we went down to the river and quite by accident saw this lady silently carrying a big pile of firewood on her back. She carried it from afar, across a field, through a river, up the steep river bank and then back down towards the village. We were amazed at her strength, resilience and evident dignity. We silently watched and desperately wanted to offer a helping hand but knew this would be rejected as it is something that is done day in and day out over the course of her life. All we can do is pray that their lives will improve and offer help and assistance where we can.
A heavy load
The video below shows just how heavy the load was and how effortlessly she appeared to bear this heavy burden. She walked up the river bank and after the video ends she headed off into the town.
Sometimes pictures tell the story better than words and the picture below shows just how steep that river bank was from the top.
We saw a lot of firewood under many of the homes in the rural villages of Laos and often we saw firewood being sold in the markets for people to take home. Whether this woman was collecting for personal use or for money we will never know. Our brief connection in this life is over but it did give us both pause for thought about how privileged our lives are. It also gave us pause to think how women in rural communities are forced to work so unnecessarily hard in this life.
I grew up in Africa and we often saw these kinds of things but I have been away too long and it opened my eyes again to the reality of life for many millions of people around the world today. Where you can help, help. Every little bit counts.
I grew up in Africa and we often saw these kinds of things but I have been away too long and it opened my eyes again to the reality of life for many millions of people around the world today. Where you can help, help. Every little bit counts.
More stories from our trip in Laos a.k.a. "The Jewel of the Mekong"
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