We're still here!
We’re still here!
Taking care and reaching out.
Welcome to the latest edition of the Laos Buffalo Dairy newsletter. We never imagined at the start of the year that we would need to pause and re-imagine our social enterprise in the way we have had to over the last few months. This newsletter is a round up of where we are at and how we are still taking care of and reaching out to our communities. Laos Buffalo Dairy has been nominated as one of the best social enterprises in Southeast Asia and we would love your support. Please vote for us! We are proud to have been shortlisted by the Mekong Co-op as one of the social enterprises showcasing sustainable and inclusive travel in the Greater Mekong Subregion. “Social enterprises have the potential to drive sustainable tourism and promote the Mekong Region as an experiential and responsible travel destination. We aim to tell their stories to inspire travellers to experience these “stars of the Mekong,” said Mr. Jens Thraenhart Executive Director of the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office.
Voting ends 30 June!
Here is the link to vote: https://www.mekongtourism.org/experience-mekong-showcases-2020/?contest=video-detail&video_id=23969
A Guide to Voting…
Step 1 - Select Lao PDR from the list of countries available.
Step 2 - Click VOTE HERE. You may then think it has taken you back to the original page but you can move onto step 3.
Step 3 - Scroll down to the video about our farm on this page and you will find “click here to vote".
We are still doing what we do best.
The Coronavirus has badly affected tourism and visits to the farm. However, for now, we have re-imagined how we can reach out and continue to take care of local communities here in Laos.
Prior to lock down, it was fair to say that we were delivering on our core aims and had many exciting projects and opportunities in the pipeline. We had grown our nutrition programme to support more local farmers and their families with the aim to demonstrate the benefits of buffalo milk as a contribution to combatting the 44% malnutrition rate amongst children here in Laos. We had more buffalo than ever before on our farm and this meant more vaccinations, more healthy buffalo and more money going out to the local community. Our vision was in place.
As part of our response to COVID 19 we are proud that our farm built and donated a ventilator to the provincial hospital here in Luang Prabang, with whom we have a good working relationship. Two German volunteers on our farm found plans to build a ventilator and decided to put Steven’s workshop to the test. It took a mountain of effort, but they built a working ventilator made from local materials, which we truly hope will never need to be used. But, if the circumstance does arise, the hospital now has a ventilator that could save someone’s life.
The road ahead is challenging in these uncertain times. However, our founders came here to make a difference in the local communities. Opening the only dairy of its kind in the entire world, in a country that didn’t know it was possible to milk a buffalo has been a huge achievement. So rest assured we won’t be giving up anytime soon….So watch this space for further updates!!
Our staff ensure our buffalo receive the best care in all of Laos. They work tirelessly to keep a farmers most valuable asset healthy and strong.
We have a plethora of ice cream flavours. Lemongrass, Oolong Tea, Coconut - the list is extensive and appetizing.
We're still making delicious buffalo cheese! Feta, Mozzarella, Ricotta, Blue cheese and Burrata.
WE RESUMED OUR ENGLISH CLASSES...
After our free education programme was on hold for two months due to COVID 19, we were pleased to reopen to students again in June. Having been stuck inside for two months with no opportunity to study, the students returned with a keenness and enthusiasm that was inspiring!
Opportunities for students who don’t live in the city to study English were already low but, now with Corona, almost all free classes have been suspended indefinitely. On the farm we brought on a full time English teacher to ensure these ambitious students can study and have all the tools to achieve their dreams.
