A big thank you to all of the
fantastic teenagers
from the Hudson Valley
who are going beyond themselves
and extending a helping hand
to the 600 children of
the Deak Kum Pa orphanage.

Your efforts are very much appreciated
and are having a wonderful, positive impact.
Every little bit helps.
Keep up the good work!

Happy
and
well
fed
children
in the
Deak Kum Pa
orphanage.
Thank you all
for your
efforts!

A big thank you to Raffy, Morgan, Emma, and Lauren for minding the information and donation table at Oriole 9, in Woodstock, this past weekend.

Altogether, $190 was raised to help support the children of the Deak Kum Pah Orphanage in Luang Prabang, Laos.

In addition to raising the money, Raffy, Morgan, Emma, and Lauren all had a chance to talk about the One Voice/Teens for Change project to lots of people -- many of whom were out-of-towners hearing about it for the first time.

And a big thank you to Luc and Nina, the owners of Oriole 9 for their continued support in helping One Voice communicate this very important message to everyone who enters their fabulous restaurant.

If you are new to this project and haven't seen the wonderful 9 minute documentary produced by Garland Berenzy, take a look. Inspiring!

One Voice For Laos: Teens for Change member Caleb Rudge wrote the following paper for college. This is a great example of the project carrying over to different aspects of life. Please take the time to read this fantastic piece of writing!

Environmental Justice Issue: Damming of the Mekong in Laos

When delving into the effects of Industrial development, I find that understanding Amartya Sen's quote is key, "Development requires major source of unfreedom: poverty as well as tyranny, poor economic opportunities as well as systematic social deprivation, neglect of public facilities as well as intolerance or overactivity of repressive states." In the United States, American citizens have the privilege of knowing that they have already industrialized; the onslaught of development is already in the past. Looking back, America has already been able to learn from the consequences and benefits entailed in Industrial development. Ten thousand miles away, the citizens of Laos are looking at industrialization from the opposite perspective. There, Laotians are coping with the dramatic changes that go hand in hand with the early stages of development. One pivotal project in Laos is the damming of the Mekong River at Xayaburi by the Thai company CH Karnchang.

The nation has turned to materialism and selfism that blinds many to the abundance of necessities, rights, and opportunities that they should be grateful to have. In turn, we must make an outreach to those in need.

This past year I joined a local group of blossoming humanitarians called One Voice for Laos that dedicates its time making a difference in the lives of the children at an orphanage in Laos.

I have always longed to make a lasting impact on those less fortunate and to do altruistic work, possibly join the Peace Corps or the Doctors Without Borders program.

Preparation began weeks before the Cabaret filled with long hours of work by a small committed team. As the night grew closer we were filled with nervous anticipation and excitement, all of our hard work surely paid off. The Cabaret was a beautiful collaboration of local performers and artists. Each performance was unique with its own stylistic flare that made the night truly special. Performers include Uncle Rock,
The Shandettes, Sequoia and Lucia, Caravan Kids, Harvey Citron, Dharma Bums, Marc Black, and myself. The Cabaret was a huge success; raising $1,500 to pay for a water filtration station for clean drinking water and a month's worth of medical support at the Deak Kum Pa Orphanage in Luang Prabang. The limitless generosity of the community was so moving and I am grateful beyond words for the cooperation and support that made the Cabaret possible. A special thanks to our sponsors Photosensualis, Sorella's, Peace Love & Cupcakes, Candlestock, Jonathan Kligler & Color Page, Woodstock Jewish Congregation, and H. Houst & Son.

"In a gentle way, you can shake the world." - Mahatma Gandhi

Written by Lauren Havens

My name is Seraphina Mallon-Breiman and I am nineteen years old. I have been working with the One Voice for Laos organization and community for a few years now. I've helped to put on fundraisers, write blogs and newspaper articles, perform and overall publicize this amazing project. As one of the first teenagers actively involved in the origination of One Voice for Laos, I am now experiencing my first year in college and am helping peripherally with the project. Recently, I took a trip home from school to help perform at the Laos Cabaret with two of my best friends in Photosensualis, a beautiful gala that Sequoia Sellinger organized. After a moving and talent-filled night, I was reminded again of how happy it makes people to join together with the common goal of helping to increase the happiness of the rest of our world. It is a seemingly simple observation- but as humans, we constantly forget it. I realized that my role in this project, as many of my fellow teenagers who are also helping from afar, is to encourage this world changing behavior from the next generation of people involved in One Voice for Laos. Everybody wants to make a difference in the world, whether that comes from performing at a fundraiser or buying the ticket to attend, or going to meet the orphans in Laos or simply contribute what you can to allow this for others. There are so many organizations out there to encourage this kind of action, and all of you in the Hudson Valley have this opportunity right at your fingertips by working with your friends and Evelyne! Take advantage of this guys, I promise you'll come out with a much different understanding of the world!

When Onteora Middle School hosted their annual Diversity Day in 2012, One Voice For Laos was there! Three One Voice For Laos members, Garland Berenzy, Rio Morales, and Anna Weissman, and Evelyne Pouget presented to middle schoolers. At this presentation, the One Voice For Laos documentary was shown and a penpal program was introduced. Onteora Middle School students will now be writing to Orphans at the Deak Kum Pa Orphanage! We just received exciting news that the Orphans will be writing back soon. Creating younger pen pals for the Orphans is such a positive action because we will now be getting even younger students interested in making a difference in the world. Here's a look at the Onteora Diversity Day. There will be a penpal update coming soon!

For one night only, a variety of fantastic local entertainers will be performing at Photosensualis in Woodstock N.Y on January 19th for the One Voice For Laos Cabaret! Not only will this cabaret be amazing, but it will also raise money for the Orphans at the Deak Kum Pa Orphanage. The more people that come, the more the orphans will benefit. The cabaret goes from 8 to 10 and will be a night to remember. A lot of hard work has gone into this event so be sure to spread the word! It is so satisfying to know that we are truly making a difference in the Orphans' lives.

When I woke up this morning, I dashed into my living room to see what nicely wrapped presents were under the festive fireplace. As I looked around and saw my lined up presents and my smiling parents, I couldn't stop thinking about how lucky I was. I thought to myself, " I have the most compassionate and caring parents that a girl could ask for and we're all in good spirits, what more could I want?". Even if I walked into my living room this morning to see no presents it would have been okay. I know that not only do I have parents that love me more than anything, but I live a happy and healthy life and that matters more than anything. Later this evening, the Deak Kum Pa Orphanage wish list was sent to me and it made even more grateful for my life. Unfortunately, Christmas has turned into such a materialistic time of year where kids become mean if they don't get all of the presents they want. This wish list is a great example of why we need to spend more time being grateful during the holidays. When I was a kid, I was asking santa for toys and sleighs, not for food and soap. I think this list is a great reminder about how important our work is. Let's keep working hard and help grant these Orphans' wishes! Happy Holidays to all you amazing people. You inspire me and I know we can keep helping these kids in 2013. We have done great work and there are many more great things to come!