Hong Kong pop stars visit development projects in Laos !

Photo: Ms Sammi Cheung (left) and Ms Gigi Leung have fun with children in Pakxeng district.

Hong Kong singing stars Ms GiGi Leung and Ms Sammi Cheung visited Pakxeng district in Luang Prabang province as Child Sponsorship Ambassadors for World Vision last week.

The purpose of their visit was to meet sponsored children and learn more about poverty stricken communities so that World Vision can improve its services.

Upon their return to Hong Kong, Ms Leung and Ms Cheung said they will share their experiences and raise awareness amongst their fans and the people of Hong Kong to help those less fortunate around the world...more info>>

They hope to take home the message that there are many people still suffering from hunger and who have little opportunity to study or lift themselves out of poverty.

Ms Leung said there were three main things she wanted to share. “The first is to cherish all life, second is to be thankful for what you have, and third is to give generously.”

They said that they were deeply touched by the generosity and hospitality of the people in Laos , especially in the rural areas.

They added that people received them with smiles and treated them warmly, especially during baci ceremonies. “Lao people are very friendly, helpful and very honest,” said Ms Leung.

Ms Leung and Ms Cheung each shared one of their many memorable moments from their visit to Pakxeng district.

“My special moment was when I met my sponsored child, Yong. We went with him to fetch some water from down the hill. He was holding my hand, I think because he had presumed that we didn't know the place very well.”

“He is a really good boy and hardworking too; I was so glad to spend some time with him and his family,” Ms Leung added.

Ms Cheung said that her special moment was having lunch with her 10 sponsored children.

“I realised that education is really important as it can give children the confidence to face the future. I would like to continue to help people and have good relationships with my sponsored children in the rural communities,” she said.

This was Ms Cheung's first visit to a developing country and her time in Laos had a great impact on her.

She knew that this opportunity had taught her many lessons and transformed her life. She said she would give a helping hand to more people in the years to come.

The two women also visited some of the projects sponsored by World Vision and learnt about its combined work with the government of Laos in poverty alleviation projects for the diverse population of the country.

World Vision is an international NGO working in 31 districts across 6 provinces, whose goal is to uplift the living standards of the poorest people in society.

World Vision is implementing a number of projects in areas such as mother and child health, water and sanitation, education, food and child sponsorship that focus mainly on the well being of children.

By Ms Vanhlee Lattana, Communication Associate, World Vision Lao PDR