Living standard in Boungphao village in Thoulakhom district, Vientiane province, are steadily improving thanks to assistance from the Korea Saemaul Undong Centre of the Republic of Korea. A ceremony was held in the village last week to mark the presentation of two artesian wells and some goats by the centre. The combined total value of the wells and 100 goats was more than 100 million kip (US$ 13.000). The wells would contribute to improving villagers’ living standards, said Thoulakhom district Deputy Governor, Mr. Khamla Sengvong. He said much development is needed in the community, including construction of schools, wells and especially roads, which are dusty and bumpy in the dry season and muddy in the rainy season, making it difficult for villagers to travel and transport crops to nearby markets. The campaign for prosperity in South Korean has been strongly influenced by the guiding spirit of Saemaul Undong, which rapidly developed the economy, improved the environment and built national confidence. Saemaul Undong was officially launched by the late President Park Jung Hee on April 22, 1970, as a nationwide campaign to improve grassroots rural communities.
Source: Vientiane Times
