The Head Man was most hospitable, insisting that we join him and his wife and grandson in their home for a meal which he himself had prepared and served with pride. Although I did not recognize some of the many dishes he presented, I’m pretty sure a couple of them were pork (a favorite in these villages) along an assortment of vegetables.
During the mealtime conversation (thanks to translation help from a Lahu speaking friend) he assured me that he was in full support of some village children moving to a facility where they could receive a good education. He emphasized that was especially needed where family support for the child was minimal — or in some sad cases — nonexistent. He was also quite critical of the nearest government school citing lazy, incompetent teachers resulting in virtually no education for his village kids.
This a good example of why we focus our efforts on educating girls.
It was interesting to see the actual conditions from which the Peace Children’s Home is attracting kids. I’m told by Tutu that there approximately 225 kids in the 18 villages in this region, most of which are receiving no education at all. Now … THAT’s … an education for me!