Project Phongsali 2011: Our student correspondent reports on his school’s support for our work in Laos.

At my school, our Leadership Institute has an ongoing lollipop sale that helps Mr. Harris’ projects in Laos. We call it “Lollies for Laos.” Last year, we sold many, many suckers — enough to make four thousand dollars. Our goal for this year is five thousand dollars. People in Laos live with the everyday hazard of cluster bombs and other ordinance. Jim Harris goes to Laos, with the money from his charity, to get rid of bombs that are unexploded.

The stories that Mr. Harris tells us are touching and often scary tales about people being injured or killed by these bombs. Many people who aren’t getting hurt by them have other problems such as birth defects. For instance, Pome is a one-year-old child from the Sop Houn village, and has “club-foot.” If he doesn’t get treatment, he won’t have any chance a good future.

Mr. Harris spends months at a time helping people in eighteen Lao provinces to get rid of ordinance, and arranging for treatment of adults and children who have suffered injury. We are working hard to raise money and spread the word to as many people as possible. It is our hope that many students and adults will become knowledgeable and offer support to Mr. Harris’ important work.

Submitted by Jack
President, D.C.Everest Middle School Student Council