Fair Trek CBT Project in Action!

Tiger Trail Fair Trek and World Volunteer have teamed up with a multitude of volunteers to build a 2-room mud bungalow structure in Luang Prabang, Laos.  This is a unique tourism project for community involvement and poverty alleviation.

A loft, an outdoor shower, wide bi-folding front doors, and several hundred more bricks!!  Those are some of the latest developments on the design of the eco-bungalows!  The first group of international students did an awesome job of preparing the grounds, making more (even better) bricks, cleaning up the village, and of course, finding time to play with the local children.  They paved the way for the World Volunteer groups that followed (and are still following)!

TOURISM BENEFITING COMMUNITIES!

The progress so far….

Student Group From Sweden

The group of 16 students and one tour leader from Sweden started their journey with a rigorous 2 hour hike from Ban Nongheo to Ban Long Lao Mai just 25 km outside Luang Prabang.  As they entered the village, sweaty, tired, and hungry, they were greeted by children and villagers alike.  The first day was a day for acclimating and introductions.

It was with this group that the Eco-Bungalow Team decided on the addition of a loft.  But where would it be?  How would we access it?  How will it affect the layout of the room?  Many questions, but these are fun questions to answer!  Before long, the wall between the two rooms was constructed along with the adjoining stairs that ran along the wall on both sides leading up to the soon to be loft.  This team also started on the walls for the bathrooms with the idea of an outdoor shower in mind.

A lot was accomplished in a week.  Mid-week, the volunteers had a well-deserved break with a trek to the nearby Kuang Si waterfall.  They had time to enjoy a wonderful 2 hour hike (sans heavy packs) through beautiful scenery, jungles, and past hidden caves.  They could splash around in the water, have a picnic lunch, and relax in the sun or shade before heading back to the village.

Even back in the village by mid-afternoon, they RESUMED WORKING!!  We are so lucky to have such hard-working, amazing volunteers!