Mother-daughter duo to volunteer in Laos in May by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff 15 | Friday, April 1, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Oakville resident Kim Addison can't think of a better way to spend her vacation than with her daughter Nicole, volunteering in Laos. The mother-daughter duo will be leaving at the beginning of May to teach English to children in the Nanhang Village near Vientiane through IVHQ, an international volunteer organization working in more than 30 countries. The majority of their five-week trip will be spent participating in IVHQ volunteer activities, helping out at an elephant conservation area along the Mekong River and visiting Big Brother Mouse, a coffee shop type of venue in Luang Prabang, where volunteers can go to converse with locals to give them a chance to practise their English skills. They'll also make stops in Seoul Korea, Vietnam and Thailand along the way. Kim, a personal trainer with the Town of Oakville and a nutrition specialist, said she must have been a traveller in another life because of her love for it. "I love adventure travelling. I thrive on it," said Kim, who has been to Africa, South America, some of Asia, Iceland, western and eastern Europe, and Australia. "If I go to another country where I can't speak the language, that's even better. It's just more exciting." The married, mother-of-two, who also runs arranging activities like painting, singing and sports. In the past, while travelling, Kim helped deliver books to children in Peru while Nicole participated in DR HOPE -- Dominican Republic Homes Opportunity Prosperity Education -- an effort comprised of Holy Trinity Secondary School students and teachers who go to the Dominican to build houses. Kim describes her daughter, a Holy Trinity graduate, who is now studying to be a dietician at the University of Guelph, as a compassionate person, who like her mom, wants to make a difference in the world in whatever way she can. Laos, Kim said, is an extremely poor country that is "so forgotten." "Even if we only make a difference to one person's life, that means we've made a difference," she said. "Little by little, we can help. You don't have to look at things with such a great magnitude. Just little things." Kim and Nicole are also fundraising to help support the economy in Laos. They hope to raise $1,000 to spend on education and living supplies when the land in the country. The rest of the trip has been paid out of pocket. To support their effort, email ivhqlaos@ cogeco.ca. Top Rated Tire & Auto Shop By Yellow Pages Kim and Nicole Addison will be volunteering in Laos in May. | submitted photo, NEW MILLENIUM TIRE & AUTO CENTRE OAkvIllE MANUfACTUREs REbATEs hAvE sTARTEd! (MOsT brands On sale) $70 ViSA PREPAid CARd a children's event company on the side, added she loves getting to know different people and learning about their culture. Coming across the opportunity to volunteer in Laos through an Internet search, Kim continued she wanted to visit a place that had elephants, because of Nicole's love for the large mammals. The IVHQ trip fit that bill, and answered the desire to get involved in a community to really make a difference. "It's really hands-on," Kim said, noting they'll be teaching, assisting with homework and $50 REBATE (some conditions apply) $40 REBATE $80 iN REBATES ChOsen One Of Oakville's bEsT AUTO sERvICE CENTREs ANd TIRE shOp $65 PREPAid MASTER CARd UP TO $100 iN REBATES UP TO Alignment Special* 10% OFF *Some additional charges apply to complex adjustments $70 MAiL iN REBATE Family owned and operated. We're committed to providing you with the highest level of service, so you'll always choose us for your maintenance and repair needs. 670 Fourth line, Unit 20, Oakville | 905-845-0770 | www.nmtoakville.ca ENJOY... ...Style and COMFORT in a lift and recline chair · Go from reclining to standing at the push of a button · Many colours, sizes and styles to suit any person and home decor · Available with both heat and massage · We can deliver and set up for you ...Every level of YOUR HOME Since 1988 · We carry all major brands of stairlifts · Straight or curved · Indoor or outdoor · Does not block stairs (as narrow as 13" when folded) · We install and service · Eligible for Medical Expense Tax Rebate · Call us for free assessment and quote ...TRAVEL and getting out and about We rent almost everything we sell and credit the first month rent towards the purchase of the same product. antique hardwood flooring 290 Speers road, oakville MENTION THIS AD TO RECEIVE msrp on the purchase of a lift chair, scooter and/or stairlift. Discounts not eligible on items funded by a third party $150 OFF ...LIFE! Visit our well stocked retail showrooms where our friendly staff will help you select the product that is best for you. 549 Bronte Rd, Oakville 154 Norseman St, Etobicoke info@accessabilities.ca 905-825-5335 416-237-9654 www.accessabilities.ca 905-825-8551 www.antiquehardwoodflooring.ca follow uS to See the lateSt trendS Authorized ADP/WSIB/VAC Vendor. licensed Medical Devices Establishment We will always happily honour our local competitor's prices.