Jan 2018: Laos & QLA May 16, 2018 Unexploded Bombs in Laos: Jan 2018 In January of 2018, Social Cycles ran it’s inaugural Laos adventure. On our journey, we learnt about the horrific effect of being the most heavily bombed country in the world. Quality of Life Association do amazing work around the Phonsavan province, supporting victims of unexploded land mines.With the $400 donated, QLA decided to further assist local families by providing prosthetic limbs. How bad is this problem? Find out in 5 minutes QLA Mission & Vision To advocate for the empowerment of UXO survivors and people with disabilities and to co-ordinate medical, psycho-social, rehabilitative, education, livelihood and development programs to achieve social and economic inclusion of QLA’s target group and their quality of life. QLA’s target group includes UXO victims, their affected families and communities, care givers, people with disabilities and impoverished families living in UXO affected communities in Xieng Khouang province. QLA’s approach towards its target group is non discriminatory, inclusive and community based and accords with the Conventions on Cluster Munitions and the Rights of Persons with a Disability. What QLA do Emergency and ongoing treatment costs for UXO survivorsQLA supports UXO victims by funding the cost of emergency medical treatment, transport and associated costs and ongoing treatment for UXO survivors.Home visitsAccompanied by a medical doctor and a representative from the provincial rehabilitation centre, QLA makes periodic visits to the homes of UXO survivors and PWD to re-assess their needs, offer psychosocial support, identify their challenges of daily functioning and the barriers that prevent them from participating in their community. An action plan is developed to help address their needs and remove the barriers. Get togethers for peer to peer supportMany of QLA’s target group are excluded by their communities because of the stigma associated with their impairment. QLA hosts periodic gatherings for UXO survivors, PWD and care givers to come together for peer to peer psychosocial support. Significantly, these forums have allowed UXO survivors and PWD to exchange stories, form new friendships and experience directly that they are not alone. Interest in this forum continues to grow. Livelihood programsQLA co-ordinates a range of livelihood initiatives and provides ongoing support to help beneficiaries achieve a sustainable livelihood. The village based approach to the training has proven to be the most effective way for QLA to ensure equal participation by QLA’s target group in the activities, social inclusion and peer to peer support after the training has been completed. First Aid Training As part of a two year program funded by EU/MAG, QLA is coordinating First Aid training to 140 people in 7 villages in remote areas to improve their response should a UXO accident occur. The severe rain season in Laos in 2011 caused much flooding and devastation. During that time a UXO accident occurred in a remote village in Xieng Khouang province where the victim lost his hand in the explosion and had to wait 3 days before being taken to hospital due to the impassable road. The first aid knowledge of the village health volunteer saved his life. Share this story Share on facebook Facebook Share on whatsapp WhatsApp Share on twitter Twitter Share on linkedin LinkedIn Share on google Google+ Share on stumbleupon StumbleUpon Share on email Email Let's stay in touch Name Email Send More Social Cycles stories Bridging Worlds: How Social Cycles Combines Travel and Charity Hope Box Vietnam NGO Lone Buffalo Laos NGO The best cycling route from Vientiane to Luang Prabang Laos Risk free travel in a post Covid world 9 Dishes You Have To Try Whilst Travelling in Iran Brett Seychell +61 479 108 222 [email protected] Hub, 696 Bourke St, Melbourne 3000 about us How we started Our purpose Your donations Responsible travel Meet the team NGO partners Private adventures Corporate teams Self guided destnations Cambodia Laos Iran Samoa Vietnam Mongolia Colombia connect Name Email Let's stay in touch Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin Youtube responsibletravel recommends Social Cycles Brett Seychell +61 479 108 222 [email protected] Hub, 696 Bourke St, Melbourne 3000 connect Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin Youtube Name Email Let's stay in touch!