The French brought rugby to the Lao PDR in the 1960s. In response to burgeoning interest in the sport, in 2001 the Lao Rugby Federation was founded to provide a formal framework for all rugby union activities taking place in the Lao PDR, whether in the context of school, community or domestic and elite international rugby development. Of particular value to the LRF is Champa Ban Rugby, an important coaching and community outreach program.

Every month, we delve into the travel experiences of people in the extended WHL Group network. This month we talk to Lee Sheridan of Teamworkz, the whl.travel local connection for 15 destinations in Laos, Thailand and Cambodia, where he is also the Green Path Transfers local partner.

This photo depicts a typical village scene, with one of the younger girls in the family preparing the day’s rice for the family. The rice is first pounded using a wooden pile driver, which is visible just behind the girl in the bottom left hand corner of the full size picture. The material is then sifted by hand using large wicker plates to separate the rice from the husks.