Data Collection in Laos: Padong and Non Som Boun

 It is Saturday but our team did not plan for a break. We separated our team into two teams. One team went to Padong and the other went to Non Som Boun. I went to Padong with Ajarn Noi, Tim and Dr. Soonthon and we planned to meet with head of village and 4-5 residents of Padong village.

 The village is not as large as the previous villages we visited. The first person I met with was the head of village who, again, was very warm and was eager to chat with me. He told me about the characteristics of Padong village, 65 families and have no key vocational skills and sustainable incomes. Most women from Padong village do not work since their full-time responsibility is looking after family of the husband and children.  Although he praised some good impact of the mining industry on the village, some drawbacks were mentioned frequently. This is not the first time I heard of environmental impacts (and I am not surprised to hear it) but this village seems to focus on this issue. Some other issues that emerged include lack of land for women to work, employment for men and women, and food security. Mining industry seems to have deep impacts upon their economic and social status.

                                               Our Research Partner from the Village

 These stories were confirmed when I discussed with a few Padong women. They were eager to share some interesting stories regarding their work and family relationship and how mining industry impact on those issues. One women who called herself Mae (mother) voiced her experiences on how her family struggle with land issues, drinking water and some health concerns. She, however, reflected that her son who works as a driver in the mining industry is the breadwinner. 
 
In the evening, we went to Ban Non Som Boun which is still not very far from where we stay. Interestingly, we conducted five personal interviews and one focus group interviews with men. I realize how much men in this village feel for economic impacts of mining industry upon their community. Most of them agree that work and economic benefits from the industry can be powerful for women in the community. Lesson learnt for me is the impact of mining industry can be beyond the primary stakeholders. Mining MNCs and local Government should also understand the real needs from secondary stakeholders.