It is very good for Lao children and for informal relations between the two peoples.

Anonymous wrote:

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Wang Leehom
2007.11.21

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A Different Kind of Giving Thanks,

In the Wang household, Thanksgiving has been the one time each year when my family gets together for dinner cooked by the greatest chef on earth (in my eyes) Wang Mama.

No matter how busy I am, or where in the world I am, I always stop work and fly to New York for a taste of that mouth-watering turkey stuffing.

Just thinking about it now: fresh, juicy, chock full of the flavor that is synonymous with Thanksgiving...it's almost enough to make me book that flight back home. But this year, for the first time in my life, I'm choosing to cancel my reservation. This year, I'm trading turkey for crickets.

Or I should say, rice, bamboo, crickets and crabs, to be more exact, which will probably be what I eat on my trip to Laos as World Vision Taiwan's ambassador this Thanksgiving.

The origin of Thanksgiving is to "give thanks", for being blessed with a fruitful harvest, and having enough to eat.

The way I see it (and I know my family agrees), what better way to give thanks,
than to help children living in poverty, who perhaps didn't have such a fruitful harvest. I'm excited for this trip, to meet my 10 sponsored children for the first time face to face, and to share with them the universal language of music.
I can't wait to see them smile, and to hear them sing. And of course, I am looking forward to the work that lies ahead of me in presenting,
as ambassador, a clearer picture of what World Vision Taiwan has
accomplished and has yet to accomplish in the impoverished areas of Laos.

My new album, "Change Me" delivers a message of power to the people,
that we all have the ability to do the right thing, and to make a change for good.

To change the world. Whether it be in environmental conservation, charity work, or in my professional career, I am inspired by this message,
and hope that you are inspired this holiday season as well.
After all, inspiration is the first seed for a fruitful harvest!

Happy Thanksgiving!

王力宏
Wang Leehom
2007.11.21

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Really well said. Have a nice trip and welcome to Laos. 

welcome to laos

If i am not mistake, One famous Korean actress also sponsor Lao children in Savanakhet through World vision. I forgot her name already, anyone know?

his interview with world vision before coming to Laos

1. You’ve done some charity work, what did it involve? What was most memorable about it?

LH: I first did charity work during high school at the Ronald McDonald House. It was in New York and the house is specially built for sick kids whose family are unable to meet the financial needs of taking care of their children.
While I was there, I was basically in charge of helping the kids buy groceries and cook dishes such as spaghetti, salads etc…for the kids to eat.

Now I’m their (McDonalds) spokesperson. I guess you could say it’s destined! To be able to continue helping McDonalds help these kids in Taiwan, China through events such as “World Children’s Day” is a very meaningful thing.
Being an artist has given me more opportunities to take part in charitable events. I also went to Nepal, which was organised by Unicef.

On the musical side, I’ve been active in many events: 1996 – “Nature” a song based on environmental issues; “Love Will Never Disappear” – a song I wrote for A-Mei for 921 Earthquake; “Frozen Dreams” – a song I personally wrote for orphanages; “Happiness x3, Loneliness x3” – a collaboration with Tetsuya Komuro on fighting against drugs; and I also collaborated with Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui on the anti-smoking campaign “Ashes to Ashes”.

It’s approaching 10 years since my involvement with World Vision. When I first started in the industry I was appointed their Young Ambassador. At that time, all the Young Ambassadors from several countries met with Lee Teng-hui (president at the time of Taiwan) and we discussed many important issues, which was very memorable. This time I look forward to being more involved in events held by World Vision. From “30 Hour Famine” to me visiting my sponsor kids in Laos, I’ll record some footages for you guys to see how life is in Third World countries. I believe this is a very important and meaningful mission.

Although in my album “Change Me” I’ve brought up issues about the environment, charity is not only about that. It is a very broad area also involving donations to those in need (such as World Vision). I’m glad I have more opportunities to be involved in these events, offering all that I can.


2. In your song “Change Me”, you mention ‘A little change has a big impact, your power and mine have the ability to change the world’. It’s basically the same concept with child sponsor. Can you tell me as spokesperson for child sponsor, what changes do you hope to see? Or what changes have you seen happen?

LH: Like me sponsoring children in Laos, to us in developed countries it really depends on whether we are willing to donate a small amount. A small donation means a big difference to those in Third World countries, allowing them to continue their lives. A small contribution from us can help them in a big way.

Through my song “Change Me” I also hope to be able to show my fans, and the younger generation the important concept, including myself, that as individuals, we all have the power. Everyone might think that greenhouse effect and global warming wouldn’t need your input to help reduce it, but I believe through the power of music and the media, we can change that perception. The public also has a responsibility to demonstrate what is right and help everyone change the world.

At this time, I would like to do more charity events, which is why I took a different route in my album. Not only in my music, but also the packaging, the music videos are all based around the same concept, which to me is a big change and I hope to be able to continue down this path.


3. What do you think about today’s younger generation’s perception towards charity work? Perhaps you’d like to give them a few words of encouragement?

LH: My record company were struck dumb by the news when I told them I wanted to do an environmental album. They reckoned issues such as these were more likely done by the older generation, which surprised me because don’t younger artists have more influence? We should set an example, give the younger generation encouragement. It’s not only environmental issues and public welfare events, but any charitable event; everyone should try to be involved. Ironically, it’s the younger generation who has the most power to express their ideas on changing oneself, and if we all had a little input, we’d definitely be able to see the results.


4. Tell me about the conditions and your feelings towards today’s less fortunate children.

LH: I think there are less fortunate children in every country who, can benefit from everyone’s help. “Our future is in the hands of our children, our children’s future are in our hands” I feel this saying has a very good meaning. Less fortunate children don’t have the chance for basic education, while some don’t even have the basic conditions of living such as access to proper health, food and sanitation. This is a problem we shouldn’t overlook. We can help children in countries such as Africa and Laos by giving them a chance.

I believe in helping less fortunate children or children for that matter. When I help those who have an interest in music, show them a thing or two, when I see that I have indeed helped them, it makes me feel like I’ve achieved something. To me this is something that makes my life meaningful.


5. What are your family and friends’ thoughts about you going to Laos?

LH: They are all very supportive. This year I’ll be giving up my Thanksgiving holiday to spend time with World Vision in Laos. My fans know Thanksgiving is the only holiday I get all year to spend time with my family. I think Thanksgiving is also a time to do charity work. We have to be thankful for the things we have but at the same time, we shouldn’t be selfish and greedy. In a time to be thankful for our happiness, we should also look at other corners of the world, look at the things we could do the help, so my family really supports me in that. Although they can’t join me in Laos, I trust they’ll keep themselves up-to-date to know that what I’m doing is very meaningful.


6. Have you been to Third World or remote countries? Can you tell me if you’ve encountered any difference in everyday life or culture? What were your thoughts?

LH: It was 2001 when I went to Nepal for 2 weeks with Unicef. We started in Kathmandu and headed to several remote areas, filming our journey which then was televised on MTV. The title was “The Children” – the dangers children faced such as child prostitution. Many children were kidnapped and sent to India to work in prostitution, which is a very frightening and dangerous thing. Because of the number of dealers and the market wanting younger prostitutes, many of the children are only 12, 13 years old when they are kidnapped and taken to other countries to work. I remember there were about 200 000 children from Nepal who were forced into this area of work and if they contracted AIDS or a sexual transmitted disease (STD), they’d be brought back home. During my 2 weeks there, I met some children who had AIDS. They were drugged and fell unconscious. When they came to their senses, they were already in another country, forced into child prostitution, completely not knowing what they should do. It was the most shocking thing and I’ll never forget it.

There was also the issue of child slavery. Nepal has a lot of children working on rugs (carpets). Hand woven rugs are Nepal’s most important source of export and a lot of these kids were very young, forced to work in unhygienic conditions and thus they didn’t have the chance to attend school. Unicef wanted to help these types of countries by showing us, the public, the conditions these kids had to endure which I thought was very meaningful.

As for myself, I’ve been to remote areas in China such as Xizang, Yunnan, Shangri-la, Mongolia, Xinjiang during the time of producing “Shangri-la”. I experienced what life was like in the Weiwuer tribe and realised that many aspects of their lives were actually quite unfortunate. Whether it’s Nepal or the remote areas of China, I do still see a lot of happy children. As I am a musician, language in these areas was a problem. But since I always carried my violin or guitar, when I see these kids I will play and sing for them, making me realise that the power of music is really great. Music is a straight forward form of communication; it can help ‘break the ice’ and let them know your good intentions, letting them feel the tempo, following the music to sing and dance. Although it’s a different country, a different culture, different levels of society, I still believe humans are the same – similarities outweighing differences.


7. With you being a musician, are there any musical experiences you want to give the kids? Besides music, what else would you like to give them?

LH: I believe music is the easiest way to connect with them. I’ve realised whether it’s less developed countries or the minority villages I’ve visited, their music is incredible. Music is also a part of their everyday life, so I will bring with me some musical instruments, listen to their performances and I will participate. When they see how enthusiastic I am about music, it will hopefully bring us closer and become good friends.

There are also language barriers when I’m playing with my band mates, who come from countries such as Korea, Japan, and France. Although we’re from different places, I don’t feel there is a gap between us because everyone speaks the same language – music.

Besides music, I will bring some small gifts like lollies, which is rare to them but I’m sure the kids will love. I may also bring some simple stationery like pens and notebooks. I remember in 2003 when McDonalds did their “World Children’s Day” Charity Concert in Beijing. With all the funds raised we bought 100 000 dictionaries, which we then brought along with us to Yunnan to give to the kids there. I felt they were really good gifts.

Before I go to Laos, I’ll find out whether there are any dictionaries they can use, if not, perhaps we can teach them some English or Chinese. Kids learn languages very quickly, so I believe this will give them a good foundation to build on.


8. Are there any changes or adjustments you’d like to see in yourself?

LH: I hope World Vision and I will have a lasting relationship. People in Taiwan are very caring and World Vision has done a lot of good deeds. I believe Taiwan is among the very best in carrying out charity work, so I’m very happy to be appointed their spokesperson. I hope as my life goes on, I will be able to give back more to these events. I’ve focused more on environmental issues this year, but I hope through World Vision, I’ll be able to help less fortunate children. This is an important part of my plan, which I will give priority to.


9. As a present from Blackie, you’ve become a child sponsor. What were your thoughts at the time?

LH: Blackie is also a good friend of mine who’s passionate about charitable events. My birthday present from him this year was an information package of a kid in Laos and through World Vision, he gave me a child to sponsor. When I received the information I was like “Wow, I’ve become a father!” It was very meaningful and I’ve decided to adopt more kids which I think is a good start. Through this trip to Laos, I’d like to meet more kids who can benefit from my help.


10. When a celebrity becomes a spokesperson, they influence their fans and thus brings about a sudden movement. Would you like to take this opportunity to call on everyone to ‘Change Me’?

LH: I’m good friends with artists who were previously spokespeople for charities. Most recently Stefanie (Sun Yan Zi) shared with me her valuable experience, which her fans were also part of. I think this is a good example.

Some of my fan clubs, for example Dalian (China) and Malaysia are very self-motivated. Each year they visit old folks’ homes or orphanages to help clean up; 2 years ago, my Malaysian fan club sponsored a child as a birthday present for me – this always makes me very proud and very touched. So I really hope I can, through World Vision or charities like this make my fans contribute what they can for the world.

Thank you such much for what you have done.  There are no words that can be described for some one special as yourself to open your hearts to a community in need and a country that truely needs help in all aspect of the word.  I am very greatful for what you have done and is still trying to do for the future of the laotian people.  If, there is any way we can help tribute to your cause as well, please advise.