Zocalo sets up fund for orphanage in Laos

Furniture importer has donated clothing, money

Heath Combs -- Furniture Today, November 11, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO — Furniture importer Zocalo has established a non-governmental organization to channel donations to a resource-starved orphanage in a mountainous region of Laos.

The fund, created by Zocalo President Jeremy Sommer, will channel donations to the Deak Kum Pa orphanage in Luang Prabang, Laos.

Sommer said he began traveling to Laos two years ago. He said he was smitten with the country's natural beauty but was concerned by the short life expectancy of its people, and the continuing danger from land mines planted during the decades of warfare in Southeast Asia.

Sommer learned about the needs of the orphanage, which houses some 600 orphans age 6 and older - a number that is always growing, he said. Much of the time, the children eat only two meals a day, and hundreds use just one sink, he said.

Zocalo began working with the orphanage by donating pants and jackets - needed because Luang Prabang has harsh winters - and contributing money to increase the amount of protein in the orphans' daily diet.

The main goals of the new NGO are to build a dormitory for additional students, support English language projects, build a water system to supply the dormitory from a nearby river, and add more sinks and toilets.

"The first step is to provide for the kids' daily needs - food, protein, a place they can sleep and available medicine. The next step is for better education and English classes," Sommer said.

For more information, e-mail customerservice@zocalousa.com with "Lao Orphanage" in the subject line.