By serendipity, we met Monsay in a small Kamhou village near Vieng Phoukha in Luang Namtha province in September 2009 while en route to Houei Xay where we planned to hold our next plastic surgery mission. A year and a half before meeting him, Monsay then 20 years old was injured in an accident that broke both bones of his lower right leg for which he was never properly treated.

We arranged for him to undergo orthopedic surgery at Mittaphab Hopsital in Vientiane. He has now fully recovered, is able to walk and is back in his village where he his first endeavor was to weave a few baskets for us in recognition for the help we gave him. We keep them preciously in our office.