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Mission

The Jai Lao Foundation ("Jai Lao") was founded on the belief that through compassion and charity we can better connect, serve, and help our Lao brothers and sisters throughout the world. As translated, Jai Lao means "Lao Heart."

Jai Lao is a non-profit charitable organization of volunteers dedicated to alleviate economic hardships for Laotians in Laos and in the United States. Specifically, Jai Lao passionately strives to improve the quality of schools and education for disadvantaged children in Laos. In addition, Jai Lao endeavors to support higher education for the children of Lao refugees living in the United States through the provision of need-based and merit scholarships.

Vision

Although Jai Lao knows it cannot solve all of the world's problems, we still have a vision of a better world for our Lao brothers and sisters. We believe that all children are entitled to receive an education to become productive citizens and positively impact their communities. We are focused on the children of Laos and the descendants of Lao refugees living in the United States.

Our vision is that this new Lao generation will excel in academics and become prominent Lao leaders in society and contribute to the world at large while staying connected to their Lao culture and heritage. Jai Lao envisions peaceful collaboration of all people of Lao heritage on a global scale.

Where We Serve

• Laos, PDR
• United States of America

Brief History Of Laos

Officially known as Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Laos is a landlocked country located in Southeast Asia. Laos shares its borders with China and Burma to the northwest, Thailand to the west, Cambodia to the south, and Vietnam to the east. Also found in the east are the Annamite Mountains, running from north to south and forming a natural border with Vietnam. One of the most defining bordering features of Laos is the Mekong River. It runs south from the Himalayas and separates parts of Laos with its western borders, Burma and Thailand.

Laos is primarily mountainous and is densely covered with untouched tropical forests. Approximately 80% of Laos' population depends on agricultural subsistence for employment, although only 5% of the land is arable. The main crop is rice which is mostly grown in the Mekong River valley. Other main crops are vegetables, fruit, spices, cotton, and coffee. Despite the establishment of a market based economy in 1986 and an average economic growth rate of 7% within the last five years, Laos still remains one of the poorest countries in the world. It lacks sufficient financial and physical infrastructure and is heavily dependent on international financial assistance. The per capita GDP is $765 (2008 estimate). About 76% of the population lives outside of cities without access to electricity, basic facilities, and education. Overall, the literacy rate in Laos is 69% (77% males and 61% females).

With a population of an estimated 6.7 million people consisting of 68 ethnic groups, Laos is a diverse country. The largest group is the Lao Loum (known as lowland Lao) who lives in the Mekong River valley, speaks the Lao language and primarily practices Theravada Buddhism. The Lao Theung is made up of the largest hill tribe group and within this group are 45 subgroups. They are semi-nomadic, live on mountain slopes and practice slash and burn agriculture. The largest subgroups are the Khamu, Tin, Akha and Alak. The Lao Sung, or High Lao, lives high in the mountains. The Hmong and Mien make up the two main groups.

Laos emerged from numerous kingdoms spanning several centuries before becoming a French protectorate in 1893. One of the most notable kingdoms was Lan Xang (literally means Land of a Million Elephants) believed to have originated in 1353 with its capital, Luang Prabang. By the late 17th century, the kingdom of Lan Xang declined, no longer unifying Laos. Three regions of Laos were formed: Luang Prabang, Vientiane, and Champassak. In 1893, France proclaimed control of Laos and remained under French influence for about sixty years before gaining full independence in 1954 when it became a constitutional monarchy.

During the Vietnam War period, the United States began an extensive bombing campaign in the eastern border of Laos along the Ho Chi Minh trail where more bombs were dropped in Laos than were used during World War II. To date, Laos is considered the most bombed country on earth. The Vietnam War concluded by the spring of 1975. As a result, Laos experienced a change in political leadership. On December 2, 1975, with the backing of the Soviet Union and the North Vietnamese Army, Pathet Lao overthrew the royal government and forced the king to abdicate his throne. Pathet Lao continues to control the country under a one party communist system.

Laotians in the United States

Laotian immigrants (excluding refugees and political asylum) began immigrating to the United States as early as 1951 with the biggest surge from 1986 to 1991. These early Lao immigrants primarily came to the United States as students or professionals. Economic and political refugees began arriving in 1975 after the conclusion of the Vietnam War with the largest influx of Laotian immigrants between 1979-1981.

The Vietnam War had created severe economic and political hardships for the Laotian people. Between 1975 and 1996, the United States resettled approximately 250,000 Lao refugees which included 130,000 Hmong (one of the ethnic groups from the mountainous region of Laos). In the United States, the largest concentrations of Laotians live in California, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin. According to the 2000 Census, there were 12.3 million people of Asian-American descendents living in the United States of which Laotians make up 3%. Approximately 10% of the Laotians left their homes, sought refugee status and most importantly, resettled in the United States, Canada, Australia, Argentina, France, England and Germany.