Interesting thought Erica.
I'm wondering how involved NZAid is in community health here in Laos. Maybe you can contact NZAid to find out. New Zealand doesn't have a bricks and mortar embassy in Laos. Everything goes through Bangkok. Maybe you could contact Bangkok.
M Thai Tower, 14th Flr, All Seasons Place, 87 Wireless Rd
PO Box 2719, Bangkok 10500
10330
Bangkok Thailand
Phone:
+66-2-254-2530
Fax:
+66-2-253-9045
Email:
nzembbkk@loxinfo.co.th
Website URL:
http://www.nzembassy.com/thailand
I'm not aware of any New Zealand NGOs working in health in Laos but possibly you can contact CARE Australia who have a couple of community health projects in remote Laos. Work would solely be in a volunteer capacity.
http://www.care.org.au/laos
From the CARE website.
Health
Pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria and malnutrition become
life-threatening when combined with poverty. Good
health allows people to work, learn, earn more, look after
themselves and their families, and live full and active
lives. CARE promotes health education in the remote
mountainous areas of Laos to support the reduction of
poverty. CARE is working with communities to prevent disease
and improve access to health services by building water
supply systems, improve sanitation, distribute water-borne
disease prevention kits, and support mobile clinic visits to remote villages.
http://www.care.org.au/document.doc?id=721
CARE Australia
Locked Bag 8400
Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: +61 2 6279 0200
Fax: +61 2 6257 1938
Email: info@care.org.au