LoneBuffalo: Cultivating Leaders, Brewing Change

Words and Images by Mick Shippen

Lone Buffalo is a UK-registered charity that was co-founded in 2011 by Manophet ‘Lone Buffalo’ Mouidouangdy and Chief Operating Officer, Mark Steadman. Sadly, Manophet passed away in 2010, but Mark and his team have remained committed to the original vision of improving the lives and expanding the horizons of Lao youth. Through a combination of free English language programs, boys and girls football clubs, practical activities such as filmmaking, education about online safety, and a strong focus on developing leadership skills, Lone Buffalo helps students grow into responsible, confident, creative, and ambitious citizens.

From Bombs to Beans

One project that encompasses a wide range of life and business skills is the school’s own coffee cooperative, From Bombs to Beans. The inspiration for the student-run company came from the tragedy of the past (Xieng Khouang province is the most heavily bombed region of Laos) and hope for the future (as unexploded ordnance has been gradually cleared, coffee growing has returned to upland areas). Students who choose to be involved in the project learn a wide range of business skills. They are responsible for recruitment, production and ordering, sales and marketing, distribution, and accounting. Last year, the school sold more than 600 bags of its premium 100% arabica northern Laos-grown coffee at outlets in Xieng Khouang, Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Thakhek, and Champasak. From Bombs to Beans student manager, Maichue Yang, says that everyone involved is a volunteer. “We invest our time and energy in the project for free because we know we will gain lots of business knowledge, communication skills, and much more. This project has helped me discover myself. I love it so much that one day I would like to have my own café and coffee business,” says Maichue.

Green Buffalo

Last July, the school started Green Buffalo, a new project dedicated to raising awareness of local environmental issues and trying to solve them. Maisee Yang, one of the founding members explained.

“Green Buffalo was inspired by the problems we see and experience every day in the towns and villages, but we decided we must start by making changes at our school. From the outset, we decided to ban single-use plastic here. If anyone breaks this rule, they are fined 5,000 kip! Money raised goes into our green fund which we will use to start other environmental projects.” At the school, they make their own paper from wastepaper and upcycle soda bottles into drinking glasses. The ‘green team’ also plans to invite their parents to a workshop at the school to try and educate them about waste and the steps they can take to reduce, reuse, and recycle at home.

“Our goal is to get our parents actively involved. We know this will be a big challenge, but we have to try,” says Maisee.

As you would expect from such conscientious and well-educated youngsters, they are keen to sow the seeds of positive change within the wider community. “We want to start working with local authorities so we can get our green initiative introduced to all local schools and at the local fresh market where the use of plastic and waste is a big issue.” If you could bottle and distribute the spirit, energy, and optimism of the Lone Buffalo youths (in a reusable bottle, of course), then Laos would be assured a truly bright and green future.

Lone Buffalo’s education program has been phenomenally successful. The curriculum, which mirrors the Common European Framework system of teaching English, emphasizes spoken and functional English. Ten classes teach Beginner to Advanced level English, starting from age 11. Students signing up are required to attend three twohour classes each week. Over the years, hundreds of young people have benefitted from English language tuition and development activities, with up to 85 percent of students going on to tertiary education here in Laos, and abroad. The model school is a blueprint for success that could be rolled out nationwide. Just imagine the societal change that could be initiated if there was a Lone Buffalo in every town!

Lone Buffalo is perhaps best summed up by the words of Maichue. “Before I came to study here, I was a shy girl. I was amazed by all the classes and activities available. I signed up for everything I could. Gradually, Lone Buffalo staff and students helped me grow in confidence. Now I love to encourage others and help them grow too.” Last year, Maichue was awarded a place in the US Embassy’s Southeast Asia Young Persons Leadership Program and spent three weeks in America. It was an amazing personal achievement for that once-shy girl.

Each year, just 30 students are chosen from ASEAN countries for the scholarship. Only three have ever been selected from Xieng Khouang and all are students of Lone Buffalo. This year, Maichue’s friend, Maisee, was selected and will soon travel to Washington DC, returning full of energy and ideas to inspire her fellow students.

The Lone Buffalo student coffee cooperative supplies cafés and restaurants in Laos with its From Bombs to Beans coffee. The coffee is currently available in Vientiane at Noy’s Fruit Heaven, Crowne Plaza, and the Mekong Garage Bar; in Luang Prabang at LPMC Bar and Restaurant and Outback Laos; in Xieng Khouang at the MAG Visitors Centre, Ton Hom House, Pukyo Guesthouse, and Xieng Loei Café; in Thakhek at the MAG Visitors Centre; and in Champasak at Chez Maman. You can also order directly via WhatsApp at 02022830370. Overseas orders are welcome.

You can also support Lone Buffalo and help ambitious youngsters improve their futures. A donation of $288 provides a student with one year of quality English tuition and development activities. You can also help by donating any amount to the school or purchasing From Bombs to Beans coffee.

MORE INFO: To discover more, visit lonebuffalo.org, fb.com/ lonebuffalo, or email office@lonebuffalo.org

GETTING THERE: Lao Skyway offers daily flights to Xieng Khouang from Vientiane.