Deak Kum Pa Orphanage is situated in Luang Prabang, a town of 40,000 residents in the centre of the northern regions of Laos, nestled between the Mekong River and the smaller tributary of Nham Khon. For all of its beauty, Laos is one of the poorest countries in the world. Decades of conflict have earned Laos the title of the most bombed country in the world. However, with strong Buddhist beliefs and despite its turbulent history, all who have visited Laos will agree that the people are amongst the warmest, most welcoming you will meet anywhere in the world.
In Laos, the need for orphanages such as Deak Kum Pa is evident. The average life expectancy in Laos is only 48 years of age. 33% of the population live below the national poverty line.
Children that are orphaned by only one parent, frequently the bread winner, are at times given up by the surviving parent (often the mother) as they simply cannot afford to keep all of their children with them. For these reasons, Deak Kum Pa is now home to well over 500 children, and this number is increasing.
Film directed by David Cohen
To Open Our Eyes: An Explanation
