CET Travel Awards – IVHQ, Laos
Volunteering in Laos: A Life-Changing Student Experience with IVHQ
Written by Max
In the summer, I embarked on a journey to Laos, on the other side of the world. I was thrilled by the sense of adventure and independence this trip promised. I travelled there to volunteer with IVHQ, an organisation dedicated to supporting local communities. My role involved helping to renovate a school and even hand-making bricks for construction, all to help raise the standard of living for local students.
My First Solo Flight: From London to Luang Prabang
Truth be told, I had never flown alone before, which made this trip even more meaningful. It marked a turning point in my independence as a young adult. I flew for over 24 hours, stopping in Shanghai, before landing in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. From there, I took a train to Luang Prabang, where my real adventure began.
I met amazing people from around the world, Singapore, Brunei, Australia, the UAE, and beyond, creating a unique global community of volunteers.
Exploring the Ancient City of Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is the ancient capital of Laos, with a history dating back 1,200 years to the Silk Road. As a former French colony, it’s a place rich in both Southeast Asian and European heritage. While I was there, I explored the morning markets, visited historic temples, took part in the traditional monk offerings at dawn, and even went night bowling with local volunteers.
The local guides shared stories of growing up in Luang Prabang and taught us about the city’s deep cultural and historical significance.
Volunteering: Renovating a School and Brick Making
With IVHQ, our main project was to renovate a local primary school. We began by scraping paint and cobwebs from the walls with dusters and chisels. After mixing our own paint, we repainted both the interiors and exteriors. To reach the ceilings, we stood on desks and carefully worked around the room’s layout.
On other days, I worked on brick making, a physically demanding but rewarding process. We mixed 4 parts sand, 4 parts water, and 1 part cement to create the bricks. After making 250 of them, those ratios are etched into my memory. We poured the mix into metal casts and compressed it with a wooden mallet before letting the bricks dry in the sun, a sustainable and cost-effective method.
One of the local builders and another volunteer, who had just completed a Master’s in mechanical engineering, explained the structural and economic reasoning behind the brick design. As someone who aspires to be an engineer, this was an eye-opening introduction to the practical side of the field.
A Magical Visit to Kuang Si Falls
My favourite experience in Laos was a 30km drive into the mountains to visit the stunning Kuang Si Waterfalls. These falls cascade more than 60 metres, and I hiked alongside them before swimming in the turquoise pools halfway up. The scenery was breathtaking, truly magical.
Travelling Solo: Hostels, Mountains, and Friendships
After my week of volunteering, I travelled solo through Laos and Thailand. I stayed in various hostels and took a sleeper train to Bangkok, where I caught my return flight to London.
One of the highlights was hiking a mountain in Nong Khiaw and camping overnight in a tent at the summit with a friend from Canada, whom I had just met the day before. As clouds drifted between the lush green mountains toward a golden sunset, I realised how far I had come, both geographically and personally.
Personal Growth Through Volunteering Abroad
This experience helped me grow as a person. From organising my own accommodation and transport to building friendships with people from across the globe, I gained confidence, independence, and a deeper sense of purpose.
This unforgettable journey was made possible thanks to the Cheltonian Trust, whose generosity gave me the chance to live this life-changing adventure. It’s a kindness I hope to pass on when I’m older.
Each year, the Cheltonian Endowment Trust (CET) offers Travel Awards designed to foster independence and career preparation.
Applications are open to all Lower Sixth pupils, and awards are made following an interview process with a panel of three CET trustees. Typically, about 30 pupils apply for a grant and about half are successful. Destinations may be as far as India or Tanzania, or applications can also be for UK-based courses and experiences.