COPE Visitors Centre

A phenomenal example of Lao people helping their fellow countrymen, COPE was established to provide medical treatment, prosthetics, and mobility devices to people who could otherwise not afford them.

Many of the people that COPE (Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise) treat are victims of the UXOs that litter Laos, but others have been affected by traffic accidents or disease. Considering the graveness of the subject matter, the Visitors Centre is an optimistic place and the work they do is truly inspiring. Inside you can see UXOs and learn how they are cleared, watch documentaries, browse their library, and see the prosthetics and wheelchairs they make.

COPE aims to be self-sufficient and the wheelchairs they fashion out of bicycle parts are remarkable. Beside the Visitors Centre is a small cafe with excellent ice cream (profits support the centre — hint hint) and a sports centre that is home to Vientiane's wheelchair basketball league.

Admission to the centre is free, but you can make a donation or purchase something from their gift shop to show your support. COPE is about 500 metres east of the Morning Market or a tuk tuk driver will take you there for abound 20,000 kip.