Pencils of Promise

Laos PoP Staff Profile: Bay Sulivan

Over the past few years, PoP has been blessed by attracting a number of unique and passionate individuals from around the world who have helped further our movement. They come from diverse backgrounds and lifestyles…but all understand that while no one person can do everything, everyone can do something. Bay Sulivan is one of these inspiring individuals. Below is a brief look at his story of endurance and striving to make the lives around him better. Join us in paying tribute to his service to PoP and let some of his passion rub off on you!

Name: Bay Sulivan

Position at PoP: Accountant and Office Manager

Location: Luang Prabang, Northern Laos

Interesting facts about Bay:

-       Is the youngest of 7 children

-       From a village that is 100 kilometers away from Luang Prabang

-       Moved away from his village for secondary school due to it being a 2½ hour bike ride away

-       In 2003, his family’s home burned down along with 95 other homes in his village so he and his family needed to live next to the rice fields in makeshift bamboo huts for 3 months while new homes were being built…the only thing saved from his home was 1 chair

-       Officially started studying English in 2005 and then continued his studies in accounting in 2008

-       Invited 4 boys (2 in primary school and 2 in middle school) from his hometown to live with him in Luang Prabang so that they could receive an education that included English

-       Got married in 2009

-       Loves learning new things…particularly anything related to Microsoft Excel

Fun facts about Bay working at Pencils of Promise:

-       Found out about PoP less than a year ago through his English teacher

-       Acquired the nickname of Dr. Bay when a group of PoP people went to Nong Kiaw and someone ended up getting slightly hurt. It was Bay who took the initiative to take them to the local pharmacy…since then, he has been Dr. Bay

A moment with PoP that Bay will never forget:

Back in mid-January, when Emily Gore had been in Laos for less than a month, she had asked Bay one day what he was going to eat for lunch. He didn’t know so Emily offered to go to Joma, a Western-style café, to buy bread knowing that there was leftover peanut butter and jelly in the fridge from Adam’s recent visit. With the combination of the three ingredients, Bay was introduced to his first peanut butter and jelly sandwich! From then on, if he has ever been asked whether or not he wants to have a PB&J sandwich, he excitedly accepts.

His responsibilities at PoP include:

-       Invoices

-       Payments

-       Staff salary

His lifelong goal:

Keep working with Pencils of Promise so that he can keep playing games with children in the countryside while they are learning valuable lessons.

Do not hesitate to write in the blog comments area if you have any questions or comments for Bay!