High in the mountains of northern Laos, a close-knit community lives in gratitude for the strong bonds they share. As time goes by, they are finding more and more to be thankful for—including Kham Ann and his family.
With World Renew’s support, Kham Ann and members of his community worked together to build a roof to protect their shared water tap. Kham Ann is thankful for the opportunity to collaborate with his neighbours to meet such an important need, strengthening both their infrastructure and their relationships.
Kham Ann, a rice farmer, also celebrates the practical knowledge he has gained through World Renew’s Free A Family® program. He received training on how to better store his harvested rice and was encouraged to establish a kitchen garden. As a result, his family now enjoys more diverse, vegetable-rich meals. Through additional training in pig raising and growing cassava, Kham Ann has been able to generate more income. Committed to seeing others in his village flourish, he joyfully shares what he has learned with his community.
A Hidden Struggle
But just as the members of Kham Ann’s village work together and support one another, there is a struggle that weighs heavily on the collective heart of the community. Opium addiction is widespread in Laos. With limited access to healthcare, many people turn to the easily accessible narcotic for pain management and become addicted—including Kham Ann’s mother, Kleo.
Kham Ann hid the pain of worry about his mother’s addiction behind his bright smile. He says, “People thought we were happy, but in reality, our family was not happy.” As they watched Kleo become thin, frail, and withdrawn, the family felt helpless to support her.
For nine years, Kleo’s addiction left her feeling isolated. She was unable to take part in the community’s rice planting or celebrations. She longed to be free of her addiction. “I was very poor in spirit for many years and I wanted to cut drugs…I didn’t want to burden others. I felt sorry for my grandchildren and my husband because I didn’t have peace,” she shares.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
— Matthew 5:3
New Life and Shared Hope
Through the Free A Family program, Kleo was able to participate in a drug rehabilitation program. Smiling, Kham Ann says, “My mother is no longer addicted to opium, after 9 years! This is the biggest freedom for our family…After the 6 months of drug rehab with World Renew, she is fully off drugs.”
“She has a new life,” he adds. “[She’s] able to be a vital part of our family and our village. She is a role model for our village, proving that sobriety is possible.”
Today, Kham Ann’s family and community continue to move forward together—strengthened by restored health, shared knowledge, and renewed hope. Their story is a reminder that lasting change happens when people are supported with compassion, dignity, and the opportunity to thrive.
