People Stories at Vista Health: Volunteering experience in Laos with Friends Without A Border by Rie Tai

1. What inspired you to start volunteering, and how did you choose the organisation or cause you support???

After working for a few years in Tokyo, I began seeking a field that resonated with me, which led me to global health. To make a meaningful impact in this area, I knew I needed firsthand experience through volunteering to understand the key issues affecting access to healthcare.?

By chance, I discovered Friends Without A Border through a family friend. I chose this organisation for its mission to train Lao healthcare professionals to run Lao Friends Hospital for Children in Luang Prabang province independently, and eventually hand it over to the district as a new paediatric ward within 10 years. I was drawn to the organisation’s long-term vision and its commitment to localisation and sustainability.?

2.????? Can you describe your volunteering experience?

I volunteered and later worked at the hospital for two years as Development Director, organising community health programs, building local partnerships, and securing donors. Working in a different country and culture taught me the importance of adapting to their communication styles and ways of working, while respectfully introducing new ideas.

Each day, seeing families who travelled long distances for care served as a powerful reminder for me of the critical need to improve access to quality healthcare and to be grateful for what we have.

3.????? What is one memorable story that you have from your volunteering experience?

One evening, a 12-week premature baby called Thongsy, was brought to our hospital after her mother tragically passed away during childbirth. While our staff cared for her in the neonatal intensive care unit, we discovered her father had abandoned her, believing she was cursed. Our outreach team visited the family, eventually convincing the father to see his child. When he did, he fell in love and decided to take her home.

This experience always reminds me that providing healthcare is not just about medical treatment—it’s also about navigating cultural differences and understanding the broader context in which we work.?

4.????? How has volunteering impacted your personal and professional life?

Having seen the limitations of healthcare infrastructure in countries like Laos, I’ve become more aware and realistic about how help can be effectively provided. It's important not to be overbearing in trying to impose our methods, but rather to focus on how these ideas can be adapted to fit within existing healthcare systems. Sustainability and the creation of long-term plans are crucial considerations that should always guide our efforts.?