Supply the Love: Laos

Supply the Love: We supply the camera and film and you supply the love!  We would love to have you be an ambassador of Print the Love! If you are traveling to an under-resourced community anywhere on the globe in the next year and would like to participate in spreading random photo kindness to the local people, lets chat! Together we can make a difference! Application is online.

The Supply the Love program is 100% supported by donors. If you are not travelling, you can still donate funds towards the camera and film for those who are.

As part of the program, we ask that ambassadors write a short description of their experience. All the words and photos are their own.

Vee in Laos

Vee in Laos - Sabaidee!

Hello!! My parents are from Laos, my father is Hmong and my mother is Laotian. When the Vietnam war escalated they sought refuge in neighboring Thailand, where I was born in a refugee camp waiting to come to the United States. We came to the United States in 1978 and since then America has been my home. It is all I have ever known and every memory I have is here in America. The family I have here in America is from my father’s side, my mother has no immediate family in America.

With the recent passing of my father and the news that my only surviving grandparent (maternal grandfather) was ailing. I began reflecting on life and decided it was time, after 47 years I started planning a trip around the world to meet my grandfather and family I have never met. This would also be the same village where my parents met and were married.

My father had an affinity for photographs, which I attribute to my love of photography, capturing time, people and places. With his recent loss, this has more meaning to me than ever. As a local Twin Cities photographer I had been planning to bring my camera and was thinking about ways I could get prints to people as I traveled. When I stumbled upon Print the Love, I felt like it was meant to be! My heart is heavily aligned with Print the Love’s mission. Photos are my love language. I reached out on the Print the Love website and was able to connect with Ceallaigh Smart, Founder of Print the Love. It was a fairly quick turn around and I was able to set up a time to pick up the camera and film the week of my trip.

On April 5th, 2025 I embarked on a trip of a lifetime with my mother and three of my siblings to Ban Bouk - Xianglom Providence, Laos. I hoped this journey would help me find my peace and reignite my passion and love of creating-capturing beautiful places and people.

It was a long anticipated journey traveling to a remote village in western Laos, fairly close to the Thailand border. The land border crossing we used was Ban Huak Border/Pangmon. This crossing is used mostly by locals. As Americans we were a bit of a novelty. We had a van that dropped us at the border crossing where we were met by family who transported us to the village - a total of a three hour drive from Chiang Rai.

Laos truly is known for its serene landscapes, misty mountains, and tranquil rivers. It has a relatively low tourism footprint compared to neighboring countries helps preserve the untouched, peaceful feeling in many areas.

We were warmly welcomed into the village, a small and close-knit community where most people either know one another or are connected through family. During my time there, I had the chance to meet many relatives I hadn’t known before. Here, I captured a photo of my mother’s cousin standing in front of her daughter and son-in-law’s home. She was happy to receive a picture of herself.

Our visit was timed to coincide with the Lao New Year celebration to be able to maximize time with family. During the celebrations lasting typically 3-5 days there is no work or school. My favorite thing to do was to walk the village and greet people and ask to take pictures. Most would smile and agree to a photo. I carried a large bag of treats that I handed out as a token of my appreciation. It was a huge hit with the kids and it didn’t take long before I would have a small crowd lining up for photos.

Word quickly spread in the village that I was taking and giving pictures! Several days when I arrived at my grandfather’s house there were people dressed in their best waiting for me for photos. I cannot tell you how happy this made me and how rewarding it was to be able to give them all pictures.

Of the film I had from Print the Love’s Supply the Love, I was able to deliver over 90 instant photos!! Once I was out of film I used my digital camera along with a portable printer and was able to give many more photos throughout my trip! I was able to capture families, genuine smiles and laughter.

Laos may face challenges as an underserved community, but the Lao people are deeply humbling—their warmth, strong family bonds, and sense of togetherness speak volumes. Though they have little material wealth, they are rich in spirit and connection. I am so honored and thankful to have been able to collaborate with Print the Love as an ambassador to spread the happiness of photos. This is my humble homecoming, my cup has been refilled.

From Laos with Love - Vee & Grandpa