Good Timing (or maybe I should say God's timing)

Last night we enjoyed fried chicken tendons and other delightful dishes at a restaurant overlooking the Mekong River and Thailiand. Dr. Intong Keomoungkhoune and a friend took us there. Dr. Intong is a Nutrition Officer for unicef and very knowledgeable about nutrition needs throughout the country. He also knows many of the needs of the elderly and is making himself available to us in the evenings. This morning at our meeting with Dr. Nao Boutta, the Deputy Chief of Cabinet at the Ministry of Public Health, he told us that they have had no program for the elderly in the past and have recently recognized the need, due to industrial development, more mobile society, etc. They recently established the National Committee for Elderly Care which had its first meeting last week. A complicating factor in developing a national policy is meeting the needs in rural villages (1,200 of them with as few as 20 households) which have transportation issues. Some of them are only accessible by horseback or boats. We also visited the National Rehabilitation Center this morning. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has graciously sent a representative to accompany us to meetings. We have been very pleased with the openness of the people we have met with so far. We are semi-adjusting to the 12 hour time difference, but almost fell asleep in our plates at dinner last night. The photo is with the Deputy Director and the Director of International Relations of the Lao Women's Union. The Deputy Director has family in Ft. Worth and may visit in June, in conjunction with a trip to Washington, D.C.