you are the one who told me to go to Big Brother Mouse. For those who are not going to Vientiane and only Luang Prabang then this would be a good option.

From the Big Brother Mouse website (www.bigbrothermouse.com):
Big Brother Mouse is not an NGO. It is a <b>not-for-profit</b>, Lao-owned project, with a Lao staff. Volunteers from abroad are helpful in many ways, but everyone shares the goal of helping young Laotions develop new skills

Their website clarifies things:
<<Is Big Brother Mouse a business, or is it non-profit?
We're something of both. Laos doesn't have just the same business and organizational structures as many western countries. Big Brother Mouse is a not-for-profit,, Lao-owned business, licensed by the government since 2006 with tax-exempt status because of our educational work. All of our paid staff if Lao, and they earn a living by working here; but there are no investors who draw a profit. Any profit is put into making more books and distributing them more widely.>>
They also make it plain that except for reprints originally published elsewhere and commissioned works their books too are written and illustrated by and for Lao.

I have been to thier shop here in LP and see them in the night market every night and their books are lovely and very reasonable. nuff said

Well, I live here, I know the company and have known them for a long time. Believe me, them make a profit. They are NOT an ngo. There are better places to buy books which are more useful for Lao students - enough said!

Note that an NGO (non-governmental organization), and a non-for-profit are different things. The website offers a comprehensible summary of how they function that is in accord with the term "not for profit." They pay employes, may even make some money, but the money does not go to owners or shareholders but is, in some way redistributed to their "mission" which is put into making more books.

Live42day, I'm really enjoying your report.

>>>>Vientianeboy on Oct 20, 10 at 2:53pm
live42day: There is a daily overnight sleeper bus to Pakse. Apparently it is reasonably comfortable.

Smeagol, if you want to do volunteer work I can suggest two places. Big Brother Mouse and also the school in Vang Vieng which is associated with the Mulberry Farm; they are always looking for volunteers, either short or long term.

>>>>>live42day on Oct 20, 10 at 3:20pm
Big brother mouse looks great! I will go there to buy some books for the library. Thanks

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Yes, I did say you can volunteer at BBM. However this post is about buying books and there is better value to be had by buying books at the Market.

is there some reason people should not buy things from for profit orgs??

be real!!!

Not at all, but you did not read my op. The books you can get at the markets are better value, so you can buy more of them, more appropriate for the students than a glossy book that won't be read and the profits flow back to local authors.

This is such a lovely trip report, I'm sorry you seem so set on ruining it, VB.

The OP followed your earlier recommendations and now you are telling her that's bad. You think children are less likely to read a glossy book? That certainly isn't my experience. If you mean by glossy one that is printed on heavier, glossier paper, that paper is much more durable and the book will last longer. And do you really object to Lao writers and illustrators being paid for their work?

Your comments make me think that the books in the markets are the copied books one finds especially in VN and Cambodia... poor quality copies on poor quality paper, poor bindings, fall apart after one reading, and no royalties to authors or illustrators. I choose not to buy copied books. I want the authors (and illustrators and photographers and printers and binders) to be appropriately paid for their work. Stealing from those people is not my idea of "better value."

Yes..I have been following this thread carefully and have learnt much about responsible shopping on tour through the discussion about bbm....thanks to all..and particularly Vientianeboy......but let's move on. I hope live42day is still keen to share her experience. It is a wonderful story..

Live42day, this is one of the most interesting trip reports I have come across. It's not the usual touristic stuff--it's about a different aspect of travel to Laos. It's thoughtful, well-observed, and so well written. You bring back memories of Luang Prabang and make me wish that next time I'm there I do something like what you're doing.
My 2 cents: I find that VB's comments are not highly relevant to the story you're telling here, and hope you don't get derailed. I'm waiting for more!

dont you just hate it when you post a long report and then hit submit and the internet dies? I will try to post my latest report later today...UGGG

Kathie, you are way off base. IF you read my previous posts you would have realised that the books I am talking about are written by Lao, and published in this country. That is hardly "stolen " intellectual property, is it?

Hey..I opened a thread on books and literacy in Laos..Hope you will join me to discuss the issue...meanwhile can't wait to hear more from live42day when the internet revives.

live42day, Thank you for sharing this great trip report. It's very special and heart-warming. More please.

If I misinterpreted your comments, VB, then I apologize. It is my understanding that Brother Mouse sells Lao books by Lao authors/illustrators/etc and the profits go to those people and the people who work in their store (via wages). In my mind, this is a good thing.

Your comments about books in the market not being "glossy' led me to believe they are "knock offs" or "reprints" which do not pay royalties. If this is incorrect, please clarify. Certainly in VN I've seen books by VN authors that were reprints, so the copiers had no compunctions about ripping off their own authors.

Kathie I have already posted, I am talking about books published here in Laos and written by Lao authors, (and several western authors who live here). There are a number of authors from Dongdok, (Lao National University). who write and have English material published. Some of of it is good and some not so good. They are not glossy publications with many pictures, but published fairly cheaply. Sure there are many copies of books available at the markets, but I am not talking about these.

I'm enjoying your report too, liv42day. We're in Southeast Asia now on a two month trip. We'll be in LP within a couple weeks and are actually scheduled to stay at Souphaphone Guesthouse based on a rec from someone else on Fodors. I'm really interested in your teaching experiences too. I teach ESL to adults here in DC and interested in hearing how it goes in other locales. Great and interesting reports! Thanks.