Please Meet Odai, Thipkesone, Thongsouk and Addy

Tweet

Odai, Thipkesone, Thongsouk, and Addy work as data-entry operators in our office in Vientiane, Laos. I asked them about their lives before and after they joined DDD.

When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Addy: A police man or a soldier. It is not a popular job here, but there is still a lot of competition, because they are government jobs, which means a permanent position and stable income.
Thipkesone: I wanted to become a doctor, but I couldn’t pass the test to get into the university.

Where did you grow up, and what is your family like?

Thongsouk: I grew up in Viengkeo Village. My family is very poor and has a very difficult life. All my siblings only finished high school; they didn’t have a chance to study further. Now they work in the factories and restaurants, at very low paid jobs.
Odai: My family is poor. We tried to get a loan so I could study at the university, but we couldn’t. We also owe money to all our relatives.

What did your family say, when you told them you were going to work at DDD?

Odai: They were very happy and proud of me, because I will be able to finish school and take care of myself. I will generate income and support my family.

What is the best thing about working for DDD?

Thipkesone: It is very different than other places. Here you get a chance to get real experience, and the other half of the day you can go to school.
Addy: The best thing is that I can improve myself and have a better life. Now I have access to healthcare and other benefits in life.

What are your plans and dreams for the future?

Thongsouk: I study accounting at college and I want to become an accountant. Because DDD invested in my career I have job opportunities now.
Odai: I am going to IT school and I want to be an IT manager. I have built my experience and general knowledge at DDD.

What do you think your life would be like if you didn’t work at DDD?

Thongsouk: I think I would be weaving at home with my mother.
Addy: I would still be working at the gas station, where I worked before I joined DDD.
Thipkesone: I would be at home with my mother, selling dried food in front of our house.
Odai: Before I came here, I worked as a waiter. It was very low pay. I can’t imagine my life without DDD.

Consider making a donation today.