Vientiane, 21 March 2022 — As part of its activities in celebration of Women’s Month, the Philippine Embassy in Vientiane, led by Ambassador Deena Joy D. Amatong, visited the Lao Disabled Women’s Development Center located in Hadsayfong District, Vientiane Capital on 21 March 2022.
During the visit, a baci ceremony was held to welcome Ambassador Amatong and the new members of the Philippine Embassy and the Office of Defense and Armed Forces Attaché. The baci ceremony, also known as su kwan (“calling of soul”), is a well-wishing ritual that is held to commemorate important events, such as birth and marriage, as well as to welcome guests.
The Center, led by Director Chanhpheng Sivila, was established in 1990 with the objective of advocating for the rights, recognition, and equal opportunities for women with disabilities. The Center partners with the Lao government, embassies, international organizations, and NGOs to achieve its goal of providing vocational and life skills training. As of March 2022, the center has assisted over 1,500 women with disabilities.END
Philippine Ambassador Deena Joy Amatong participates in a Baci Ceremony, a traditional well-wishing ritual in Laos, at the Lao Disabled Women’s Development Center in Vientiane (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Embassy in Vientiane)
Pottery and textiles made by women with disabilities for sale at the Sai Yak Hak Lao Handicraft Store of the Center(Photo courtesy of the Philippine Embassy in Vientiane)
