Until recently members of his family had to walk two kilometers, a little more than one mile, each way, just to get clean drinking water. That's a two-mile trip every time they needed more water to drink. ADRA has been working with Phong's community to dig wells and build water systems to bring water closer. Even then families will have to fetch water, although it will be much closer. Also, people will gather around the new wells and talk.
Lao families average seven persons to a household.
Families tend to be nuclear, but grandparents, aunts or uncles may live with the family. The eldest man, as patriarch, represents the group at village meetings. There is great respect for parents and elders.