I returned to Luang Phabang, Laos for the third time back in 2008, to drink coffee, sit by the Mekong River, eat baguette sandwiches, and to help out in the @myLibrary; an independent community self learning library run by the very lovely Carol Kresge.

When I’m there, I teach basic filmmaking, get my ass kicked in Scrabble by the kids, and sometimes help out with their very notable digital photography project. The combination of a surreal natural and social landscape, beautiful architecture, and a UNESCO World Heritage City status, and a bunch of kids with the enthusiasm that makes us Malaysians look disgustingly jaded in comparison makes what I believe is probably the best photography collective in all of Laos.

It somehow bothered me, these kids have it too easy (photography wise), everything is too beautiful in Luang Phabang. And one fine morning, I walked past the old abandoned hospital (which is right in front of where I live)…

The following photos are the 10 winners (of the hundreds i received) from the Beautiful Ordinary competition. First prize was 30 USD, second 15 USD, and third 5 USD. All ten photos were displayed in a show at the library gallery shortly after the results were announced.

First prize winner: Yangchely

Second prize winner: Sengthanou

Third prize winner: Chaly

Consolation: Soua

Consolation: Sekher

Consolation: Saykham

Consolation: Elee

Consolation: Noy

Consolation: Touy

Consolation: Chaly

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Learn more about the @myLibrary project here and see how you can help out and give them money.

Post script: 3rd prize winner Yangchely eventually leased the rights to an organization in Europe to use the photo to print 1000 Christmas cards. He made 600usd from that (That is more than a year’s wage for most Lao people).

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Chi Too makes films for fun, love, and activism. In his free time, he ekes an living off editing video. His films include Paradise Bus, The Chinese Dilemma, While You Were Eating, Just Pretend, Goodbye Luang Phabang, Out Of The Closet, and more. He photographs, paints, draws, writes, and hug trees. He also sells T-shirts. Most recently, he has become a conceptual artist.