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

Posted by Cassandra Hastie at 08:31 PM | Comments (0)

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!

Posted by Cassandra Hastie at 07:32 PM | Comments (0)

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!

Posted by Cassandra Hastie at 07:10 PM | Comments (0)

Posted by Cassandra Hastie at 10:43 AM | Comments (0)

Posted by Cassandra Hastie at 10:41 AM | Comments (0)

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.

Posted by Cassandra Hastie at 07:54 PM | Comments (0)