Logging in Attapu Province

In 1968 IVS volunteer George Viles helped the local Nyaheun in Attapu Province organize a cooperative sawmill, including the purchase of a truck to haul timber from the forest to the mill. The sawmill, with major inputs and investments from the local owners -- all the equipment was purchased in Pakxe in 1968 by the 12 cooperative owners -- and some assistance from USAID, was organized as a cooperative in order to provide lumber for both cluster community projects and wood purchases by villagers. Those who purchased lumber generally were constructing new houses and replacing woven bamboo walled houses with wooden plank walls and floors. They also built more substantial rice storage sheds. In the photograph, logs are being transported to the sawmill.