While we university students in Hong Kong enjoy excellent education and never worry about basic necessities, many in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) face stark realities: children suffering from stunting, villages cut off during rainy seasons, the constant threat of unexploded ordnance (UXO), inadequate healthcare requiring cross-border journeys, and a government heavily reliant on foreign aid. One might assume our privileged position places us solely as helpers to those portrayed as victims of poverty and conflict. However, my six-month assignment as a UN University Volunteer revealed a profoundly different narrative—one where I gained immeasurably more from Laos and its people than I could ever contribute. This journey didn’t just change my professional outlook; it transformed my understanding of privilege, purpose and what constitutes a meaningful life.

First Impressions: Unexpected Contrasts in Southeast Asia’s Least-Known Nation

Devoid of sprawling metropolises, coastal resorts, and shopping complexes, Lao PDR remains perhaps the least familiar Southeast Asian country to most Hong Kongers. With no direct flights from our city, it seldom features on typical travel itineraries. I arrived without preconceptions—an advantage that allowed me to experience the country with genuine openness.

My fellow UNV Kara and I landed in Vientiane in July 2017, after an unexpected overnight layover in Hanoi. The contrast was immediate: compared to Hanoi’s frenetic energy, Vientiane moved at a languid pace. Low-rise buildings lined quiet streets, and traffic flowed unhurriedly. The absence of familiar global chains—no McDonald’s, KFC or Starbucks—signalled we had entered a place operating by different rhythms than other Southeast Asian capitals.

Our introduction to the complex realities of Laos came swiftly. Barely seated at a restaurant frequented by expatriates, we were approached by two beggars—a mother and young daughter—seeking money. As we awkwardly navigated this encounter, a troubling question surfaced: what twist of fate had placed us on opposite sides of this exchange? The moment crystallised the power imbalance that would repeatedly manifest during my stay.

As international volunteers, we occupied a paradoxical position. We received extraordinary respect simply for volunteering, yet our volunteer living allowance exceeded ten times the monthly salary of a local university graduate. We earned more than many of our national colleagues despite our temporary status. This financial disparity created an uncomfortable privilege that couldn’t be ignored.

Our first-day explorations revealed a city of contradictions. Poorly maintained pavements occupied by parked vehicles made walking challenging, yet the streets remained remarkably clean. Unexpected cafés and restaurants offering diverse international cuisine contradicted my preconceptions of Southeast Asia’s least developed nation. By evening, dining at an upscale establishment serving global cuisine, I realised my expectations had been thoroughly upended—both by encounters with stark poverty and surprising modernity.

Inside UNDP: Building Sustainable Development from the Ground Up

The United Nations House in Vientiane stands adjacent to Patuxay, the Lao version of the Arc de Triomphe. This well-secured compound houses various UN agencies including my host organisation, UNDP. Occupying prime real estate near essential government offices, it embodied the UN’s significant presence in Lao development.

As a UN University Volunteer specialising in Poverty Reduction, I supported UNDP’s poverty reduction and UXO units. My primary focus became the “Brand Lao – for Better Livelihoods” initiative—a new project under the Poverty Reduction portfolio that I would help develop from concept to implementation.

This project represented a vital approach for a country with limited high-value economic opportunities. When I joined, Brand Lao existed only as an idea in draft documentation. Over six months, I helped finalise the project blueprint, conducted social and environmental screenings, and facilitated communication between UNDP, the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI), and other development partners. By October, we had secured official signatures on the project document, and by November, we had established the Branding Lao Promotion and Development Facility. Watching this evolution from concept to operational reality proved immensely rewarding.

The Brand Lao project addressed a fundamental economic challenge. At that time, Lao PDR’s economic development was primarily driven by exporting natural resources—minerals and hydroelectric power—which generated minimal employment opportunities and sustainable livelihoods. This economic structure left approximately 70% of the population working in the agricultural sector, using simple farming methods that resulted in low productivity and high vulnerability to natural disasters.

To lift people out of poverty, creating more economic opportunities and increasing production profits became paramount. The Brand Lao initiative took an innovative approach by identifying competitive advantages of Lao products specifically for ethical consumers—those willing to pay premium prices for quality products with ethical guarantees. By reconstructing the missing link between producers and consumers, we aimed to ensure Lao products would no longer be supplied as anonymous goods, while simultaneously enhancing the country’s international image.

Beyond Brand Lao, I supported several other initiatives: the “Saemaul Initiative Towards Sustainable and Inclusive New Communities,” support programmes for the 8th National Socio-Economic Development Plan implementation, and UXO removal projects. My responsibilities spanned document preparation, multimedia development, partner communications, and procurement support.

Working at UNDP provided invaluable professional development. The multicultural environment honed my ability to collaborate with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and working styles. The varied responsibilities enhanced my technical competencies while deepening my understanding of development challenges. Most importantly, I gained practical knowledge of how international organisations operate—insights that continue to inform my professional approach today.

UNV’s Mission: Promoting Local Engagement and Action

Beyond my UNDP responsibilities, being a UN Volunteer meant actively promoting volunteerism throughout the country. Two significant events—United Nations Day and International Volunteer Day (IVD)—provided platforms for this mission.

For UN Day on 24 October, all UN agencies in Laos welcomed 150 students from four local schools to the UN House. Representing both UNV and UNDP, I demonstrated UXO removal work through virtual reality films. Despite my limited Lao language skills, I managed basic instructions for the VR equipment. More importantly, my presence as an International University Volunteer embodied the diversity within the UNV programme.

December’s International Volunteer Day involved more extensive preparations. As part of the planning committee, I helped organise a development dialogue and blood donation drive, designed publication materials, and created t-shirts for the events. Nearly a hundred young Lao citizens participated in the dialogue, engaging with stories from passionate local volunteers. Our collaboration with the Lao Red Cross and Lao Youth Union mobilised hundreds of young people to donate blood—a tangible demonstration of local commitment to community service.

I also supported “Younified Day,” an SDG awareness event organised by YSEALI Laos. This initiative brought together 60 university students eager to contribute to their country’s development and advance the Sustainable Development Goals. Facilitating activities and introducing UNV programmes, I witnessed firsthand the students’ dedication to making a difference.

These experiences fundamentally shifted my understanding of development work. Despite the presence of numerous international organisations staffed with foreign experts, these young people demonstrated remarkable commitment to shaping their country’s future. Their passion transformed my perspective—from seeing myself as an external helper to recognising I was witnessing a nation actively building its own path forward. Their dedication inspired me to examine my own motivations for service and to recognise that true development work must amplify local voices rather than replace them.

Beyond Work: Immersion in Lao Culture and Community

Initially, I imagined six months in Vientiane might leave me with abundant free time. The reality proved different. As local people joked, the acronym of Lao PDR stands for “please don’t rush”—and indeed, the country’s relaxed pace gradually recalibrated my own relationship with time. Slowing down didn’t mean accomplishing less, but rather experiencing each moment more fully.

Conscious that the UN House created a bubble separated from authentic local life, I dedicated my leisure time to meaningful community engagement. Learning the local language became essential for genuine connection. Every Monday evening, Mr. Goi, an experienced teacher who had instructed many UNVs, conducted lessons in our accommodation. These 90-minute sessions typically began with our barrage of questions about Lao culture and customs. His creative phonetic system helped us navigate the language without mastering the script. After several months, our teacher-student relationship evolved into friendship, culminating in an invitation to his home.

Weekday evenings offered various social opportunities. “Tasty Tuesday” dinners with other volunteers and colleagues introduced us to Vientiane’s diverse culinary scene. Thursday “Bla Bla Language Exchange” meetings, organised by a friend at the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, provided practice in conversational Lao while enjoying local Beerlao beer or cocktails. These casual gatherings facilitated connections with both local residents and the international community.

Weekends brought different rhythms. Mornings often found me in one of Vientiane’s surprisingly excellent cafés—Joma, Sinouk Coffee, Le Trio, The Little House, or Comma Coffee—with a book and freshly brewed coffee. The Little House, run by a Japanese expatriate, offered tranquil refuge, while Comma Coffee, staffed by university graduates eager to practice English, provided opportunities for cultural exchange. Some Saturdays included meditation sessions at Wat Sokpaluang (Sokpaluang Temple), followed by conversations with students and monks—interactions that deepened my understanding of Lao Buddhism and its role in daily life.

Extended weekends and holidays allowed exploration beyond Vientiane. In Luang Namtha and Nong Khiaw, I participated in two-day trekking expeditions to remote ethnic minority villages. In Luang Namtha, I trekked through humid forests where sunlight filtered through dense canopy, casting dappled shadows on paths that had been walked for generations. Our Khmu guide effortlessly transformed ordinary jungle plants into culinary treasures, the aroma of lemongrass and galangal filling the evening air as we prepared dinner over an open fire. In the village where we stayed—devoid of electricity’s hum or the blue glow of screens—children’s laughter provided the soundtrack to evenings spent under star-filled skies, their happiness derived not from manufactured toys but from games created with stones and sticks.

One particularly memorable stay in a Khmu village featured neither electricity nor mobile coverage. Children played with pebbles rather than manufactured toys. Though the village had several water taps, residents bathed and laundered in the river. Their self-sufficient agricultural practices ensured food security, while their resourceful use of natural materials demonstrated remarkable sustainability. Their simple yet contented lives offered a powerful counterpoint to consumption-driven societies, demonstrating how genuine fulfilment often emerges from community connection rather than material abundance.

Privilege and Purpose: Reflections on International Volunteering

My six months in Laos profoundly transformed my professional toolkit and personal worldview. Beyond the practical skills gained—working across cultural boundaries, understanding UN development frameworks, and project management experience—I developed something far more valuable: a critical awareness of privilege and its responsibilities.

The contrast between my position as an international volunteer and the realities of those I encountered—from the beggars on my first day to the self-sufficient villagers in remote communities—continually reminded me that privilege is largely accidental. The accident of birth largely determines our starting positions in life. Recognising this fundamental inequity demands humility in service and careful, constant examination of our actions and their impacts.

International volunteering occupies a complex position—potentially reinforcing power imbalances even as it seeks to address them. True effectiveness in this space requires genuine cultural respect, deep contextual understanding, and ongoing critical reflection about our role and influence. As volunteers, we arrive to serve and learn, but can only succeed through genuine humility. Our privileged status, even as “just volunteers,” carries significant impact on local communities, requiring us to approach our work with deep responsibility.

This experience wasn’t an endpoint but rather a catalyst for continued commitment to creating a more equitable world. While individual volunteers may not be changemakers alone, our collective efforts, approached with humility and critical awareness, can contribute to dismantling the power gaps that separate communities and nations. In giving my time to Laos, I received an invaluable education in what meaningful service truly requires.

Practical Tips for Prospective International Volunteers

For those considering similar experiences, I offer these reflections:

1. Learn the local language: Even basic phrases demonstrate respect and open countless doors to authentic connection.
2. Seek community beyond the expatriate bubble: While international colleagues provide valuable support, meaningful integration requires venturing beyond comfort zones.
3. Question your assumptions daily: Every preconception deserves examination, particularly those about “development” and your role within it.
4. Prioritise knowledge exchange over knowledge transfer: Approach each interaction as an opportunity to learn, not just teach.
5. Consider sustainability from day one: How will your contributions continue after your departure? Work closely with local colleagues to ensure institutional knowledge remains.
6. Embrace slower rhythms: Rushing rarely produces meaningful results. Adapt to local paces and perspectives on time.
7. Document your journey: Regular reflection helps process complex experiences and crystallise learning.

The path of international volunteering demands genuine commitment to service, openness to transformation, and willingness to question established paradigms. When approached with humility and critical awareness, it offers profound opportunities for mutual growth that extend far beyond the duration of any assignment.

(This article is adapted from a report submitted to the Agency for Volunteer Service upon completion of the UNV assignment.)