The COPE Visitor Centre in Vientiane offers a rare perspective on the impact of unexploded ordnance in Laos. Visitors learn about rehabilitation, prosthetics, and hear stories from survivors are all educational and emotionally powerful.
Introduction To The COPE Visitor Centre
The COPE Visitor Centre in Vientiane is a heart-wrenching and informative attraction that conveys the continuing narrative of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Laos and its communities. Founded by COPE (Cooperative Orthotic & Prosthetic Enterprise), the visitor centre shows how bombs left from years of conflict continue to take the lives of innocent people, while showing incredible survivors rebuild their lives.
Hours of entertainment and information, the COPE Centre is also a real-life rehabilitation facility: prosthetic limbs, wheelchairs, and mobility aids are free of charge to those who have been injured by UXOs. Visitors leave with a distinctly powerful understanding of the contending human costs of war, and what hope is offered through COPE’s continued work, through multimedia exhibits, personal owners, and a small theatre showing documentaries.
History Of COPE Visitor Centre
The COPE Visitor Centre was founded in 1997 as part of the Cooperative Orthotics and Prosthetics Enterprise, a Community-based rehabilitation for survivors of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Laos. COPE has been providing life-changing rehabilitation services in the form of prosthetics, wheelchairs, and mobility aids for people who were injured by bomb and landmine explosions.
Unique Architecture Of COPE Visitor Centre
The COPE Visitor Centre provides more than just historical context; its design reflects an intentional integration of educational, emotional, and functional spaces. Each space is purposely designed to take visitors on a journey through Laos’s experience with war, while allowing visitors a space for reflection, learning, and support.
Documentary And Exhibition Spaces
There are rooms dedicated to documentaries and exhibits on the violent history of the Laotian Civil War and the 260 million cluster bombs dropped during the period of 1964-1973. These rooms combine photographs, stories from survivors of cluster bomb injuries, and interactive exhibits to create a deep-learning environment where visitors can grasp both the magnitude of harm and suffering inflicted, as well as the ongoing impacts on local populations.
Gift Shop And Café Area
COPE also includes a small gift shop and café area where visitors can rest and reflect while supporting the programs supported by the centre. The gift shop features handmade crafts and artworks made by survivors of injuries caused by cluster bombs as a meaningful way to support local initiatives. The café provides a sense of calm for processing the experiences and stories shared during the visit.
Education And Awareness Spaces
Various spaces are created for the specific purpose of education and awareness regarding COPE’s mission of rehabilitating victims of unexploded ordnance through prosthetics and therapy programs. Interactive exhibits take visitors through the technical, medical, and social dimensions of rehabilitation, giving the audience a clear understanding of the organization’s holistic approach to recovery and empowerment.
Spaces For Reflection And Remembrance
The centre features spaces for contemplation where visitors may pause in consideration of the human cost of war. Sculptures, installations, and survivor stories invoke empathy and offer an opportunity to remember the impact on affected communities and to acknowledge the incredible resilience of the Laotian people. Each area cheers and cultivates a solemn, respectful environment that supports the educational messages of the centre.
5 Unforgettable Experiences You Shouldn’t Miss
A visit to the COPE Visitor Centre is an emotionally engaging and educational experience, presenting an opportunity for you to learn more about the ongoing impacts of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Laos. You will also discover the perseverance of survivors and the remarkable ways they foster new beginnings through creativity, bravery, and community.
See A Legacy Of Cluster Bombs
The Centre has a large collection of unexploded cluster bombs and artifacts that reveal the impact of the Vietnam War. You will find original documents, pictures, and stories that show how those bombs keep impacting people all day in Laos. Each of these exhibits helps provide context about the portion of the population affected, so you can see why UXO clearance is still so important and what people face in affected communities. So, visiting here will be one of the lasting memories for you in Vientiane.
Look At the Art And Creativity Of Survivors
COPE has a gallery with art of survivors of bomb accidents that shows resilience and the human spirit. The art takes many forms, such as sculpture, drawings, and paintings. This gives a different and unique perspective on how people seek therapy through creative expression and storytelling.
We want the visitors to recognize not only the skill and artistry of the person, but also to get a sense of the human emotion and reality of their lives through the art. You will be able to see trauma being transformed into a story of hope through creative expression.
Educate About UXO Risks
The centre provides educational exhibits, and some exhibits have an interactive display, which explains the ongoing risks posed by unexploded ordnance. The exhibits utilize photos, videos, and display boards to educate visitors about how unexploded ordnance affects communities, agriculture, and local development. Education and awareness encourage a sense of understanding and responsibility, as they relate to why safety education and clearance on an ongoing basis are significant for Laos’s continued growth.
Support And Engage With Rehabilitation Programs
A major focus of the COPE Visitor Centre is rehabilitation programs that provide prosthetics, mobility, and therapy for survivors. Visitors can understand what is involved in helping victims of UXO regain independence and improve their quality of life. The exhibits describe both the technical support and emotional support as part of the rehabilitation program, describing the well-established efforts from international and national levels to assist the survivors.
Conceptualize the Human Aspect of War
Outside of historical context and art, COPE seriously emphasizes the personal human stories behind the statistics. Through the survivor’s own stories, photographs, and video interviews, visitors begin to understand how war and unexploded ordnance impact lives decades later.
COPE is provoked with the understanding that education leads to empathy, and visitors leave COPE contemplating how they would act in similar situations. A lasting impression will remain of how important it is to aid in the education of peace, safety, and continued humanitarian efforts in Laos.
Entrance Fee
A highlight of the COPE Visitor Centre is that it is free for all visitors. This demonstrates the centre’s commitment to raising awareness of the challenges faced by individuals with unexploded landmines and providing vital services such as rehabilitation and prosthetic limbs.
Opening Hours
The COPE Visitor Centre opens daily from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, seven days a week, and is seldom busy. It leaves the doors closed during major Lao holidays such as National Day and Lao New Year. The majority of exhibitions are indoors, making the COPE Visitor Centre an ideal destination even in rainy weather conditions in Vientiane.
This allows plenty of time for visitors to look at the exhibits, learn about the challenges of those affected by landmines, and learn of the life-saving work of COPE.
How To Get To the COPE Visitor Centre
The COPE Visitor Centre is in the center of Vientiane, approximately 2 km south of Patuxai- just over a mile from the Victory Monument. It’s an easy ride on a relatively quiet road from the downtown attractions by bicycle, or a short tuk-tuk or taxi ride.
You will find art, sculptures, and decorations made out of UXO and recycled prosthetic limbs on display at the COPE Visitor Center. Several exhibits are made from UXO or prosthetic limbs, like the outdoor sculpture of a mother and her child, all made from these materials. These sculptures are a reminder of the continued impact landmines are having on communities in Laos.
Entry is free to the COPE Visitor Centre, there are permanent exhibitions explaining the lives of survivors, and explaining the rehabilitation work that COPE does. For those who would like a more in-depth experience, there are guided tours of the visitor center and COPE’s humanitarian mission.
Things To Know Before Traveling To COPE Visitor Centre
It is advantageous to be prepared for your visit to the COPE Visitor Centre to enhance your experience of the exhibits and the stories within the exhibitions.
- The centre is wheelchair accessible.
- You may take photographs unless a specific request is voiced when photographing individual visitors and survivor stories in the exhibitions.
- You should plan to spend around 1-2 hours exploring the exhibitions and learn about COPE’s work and mission.
- There are guided tours available if you wish to learn more about the impact of UXO and the rehabilitation of survivors.
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking to the indoor exhibition areas and outdoor exhibition areas.
- Donations are appreciated to support COPE’s work to provide prosthetics and rehabilitation services.
- Visit on a weekday or a little early in the morning, when there will be fewer visitors, for a quieter and more reflective experience.
FAQs About COPE Visitor Centre
If you’re going to visit the COPE Visitor Centre, you might have questions about what to expect. Below are some frequently asked questions and detailed answers that can assist you in making your decision to visit.
What is at the COPE Visitor Centre?
Visitors will have access to exhibits displaying unexploded ordnance from the Vietnam War, prosthetic devices, and the personal stories of those who survived. The art gallery displays artwork developed by those impacted by landmines, reflecting resilience and hope. The COPE exhibits create a whole picture of many of the local challenges, historically and currently.
How long will it take to visit the COPE Visitor Centre?
Most visitors spend about 1 – 2 hours at the COPE Visitor Centre. This gives more than enough time to read the decor, view the educational videos, and visit the shop and café. Slowing down will help you fully appreciate the stories and exhibits.
Is the COPE Visitor Centre suitable for children?
Yes, it is a family-friendly centre. Some of the exhibits can be emotionally heavy due to the nature of unexploded ordnance and the implications of its use. For older children, it will be an educational experience, assuming they can understand the context. Younger children may be drawn to the art and interactive exhibits.
Can I support COPE’s work while you visit?
Of course! Visitors are welcome to buy handmade souvenirs and gifts in the shop. All profits will go directly to support COPE’s programs. You can also contribute directly to help provide prosthetics and rehabilitation to survivors of UXO.
What is the way to reach the COPE Visitor Centre?
The visitor centre is located approximately 2 km south of Patuxai in central Vientiane. It is a tuk-tuk, bicycle, or easy walking distance from many hotels in the city. The centre is well marked and convenient for visitors and tourists who are perusing the central attractions.
Final Thoughts: Is the COPE Visitor Centre Worth Visiting?
The COPE Visitor Centre offers a unique and engaging experience in Vientiane in an informal, yet educational context, relating to both compassion and history. Visitors will learn about the difficulties that survivors of unexploded ordnance face and how rehabilitation services react to life-changing injuries. The experience of touring the centre raises money for COPE and raises public awareness of important humanitarian issues. Start planning your Laos visit to Seni World to explore the centre and learn how to help and make a difference during your trip.
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