Take a look at Tufts University Health Services Library SPIRAL Project that was done in conjunction with the South Cove Community Health Center. It's a compilation of medical information in .pdf or .html format in Lao and other Southeast Asian languages. A definite and wonderful resource.
There's a separate but limited amount of files from University of Utah - The 24 Languages Project .
Additionally, there's the Laotian Resource List. However it's quite out-dated.
Another suggestion would be the Lao Medical Guide and Glossary written back in 1980 for medical and health workers to be able to communicate and help educate the new wave of Lao immigrants on medical issues. It was written by the Indochinese Language Resource Center in Portland, Oregon. Although it is now out-of-print, you can occasionally find it being sold by some online book sellers. It can be found in both Lao or English. We do have some contact info. on this organization but believe it to be out-of-date and therefore we have not included it here.
There is one other book called Lao Medical Glossary that's offered for sale through CCHCP for $10. We have not reviewed this book yet however the link is provided here for you.
We understand that growing up abroad, among another majority, can sometimes make one feel very out of place and you may directly or indirectly wish to assimilate into that culture because you feel it makes you less noticeable or less ostracized for being different. Everyone has those kinds of feelings even those who are part of the majority. And you usually feel stronger pressure when you are younger. This pressure always exists but it tends to lessen as you get older because you've gained greater confidence and have more direct decision making in your own life.
Your reflection, change of heart, and new appreciation of your Lao heritage is reminiscent of many people who, as they get older, begin to reflect more on themselves and their ethnic heritage. Where now you look on your ethnic heritage with more pride, curiosity and strength than before.
It should be encouraged that we try to teach and instill curiosity in the younger Lao generation about Lao culture, tradition and language. Not just to help preserve all of that but because once that child grows up, they won't feel resentment about not having been taught about their heritage or native tongue. In many cases, you find that those young children who weren't taught Lao culture or language end up growing up feeling left out of the Lao community and feel that they're no longer capable of gaining fluency in the Lao language.
Sometimes you find that some Lao individuals don't necessarily want to get involved with the Lao community - that's ok too, just like being spiritual doesn't necessarily mean you have to go to the temple or church. However it should be said that you can learn a great deal about the culture, traditions and celebrations if you're more involved in the Lao community.
On a final note, it's great to learn and accept other cultures and beliefs and ok to become "Westernized" or whatever, as long as you don't forget where you come from or your ethnic heritage and native language. Some might believe this isn't important at all. We would argue that it is very important and our work on Laoconnection.com is a monument to how important we think it is.
