Students and Teachers of Laos

A story about empowerment I learned from trying pottery

Just across the river from the UNESCO world heritage city of Luang Prabang is an ancient traditional pottery village that transformed my belief system for how we can make the world a better place. 

During my backpacking trip through Laos this summer, I did a half-day tour with Lao Pottery House and it was one of the most fascinating and rewarding learning experiences of my life. My extremely enthusiastic Google Review speaks to a fraction of the impact they left on me. 

My friend and I started in a small motorboat crossing the Mekong river, the longest river in Southeast Asia. Then, Thieng and Keo Lamphet, the family behind Lao Pottery House, shared the story and history of their community in Ban Chan Nua. It has been a traditional pottery village for 400 years, where locals turn the ground into pottery that serves anyone from rural dwellers to the King. However, pottery is passed down orally, and as youth flock to cities for new opportunities, only 10 families are left in Ban Chan Nua. 

We had the opportunity to meet some of these families, support their pottery, learn to make pottery, and then we had the most amazing Laotian lunch ! It was profoundly sobering, and I’ll expand on that in a second. But I would first like to comment on Thieng Lamphet’s commitment to his community. 

Blown away by our tour, we felt a deep desire to show our appreciation. We handed Thieng a cash tip and a wordy speech of appreciation. Without hesitation, he immediately shared the tip among his team—his cook, his potter, and his tour guide—keeping nothing for himself. It was inspiring, witnessing his quiet respect for those who worked alongside him, choosing to honor their contributions without a second thought. 

He is a leader governed by generosity; and in a half day, I think he accidentally redefined the way I see impact and ‘life’s work’. 

Lao Pottery House