a morning with Carol Cassidy

This was a real treat for me

Carol Cassidy is an amazing women

She has been weaving since she was 17 years old

Carol learned her trade in Norway and Finland

Worked in Africa for years before arriving in Laos 26 years ago

She is the Queen of Weaving in Laos

I first came to Carol's shop when I was travelling with Gracie, Ricky and Niamh 6 years ago

It's a beautiful French colonial house, originally owned by a Prince.

I loved it then and bought some of her silk textiles.

Carol knows Kenro Izu, our hospital's founder, very well

She supports our work and came to the opening of the hospital a few weeks ago.

She's great fun and we were all full of admiration.

So when I was in Vientiane last weekend I thought I'd treat myself to a silk scarf

I walked in and there was Carol, big smile and an invite to a personal tour through the weaving process.

It was a wonderful morning, she's great; strong, quirky, confident and wise

I loved listening to her life story, leaving the US so young to follow her dream, and about all the families she's supported through her work and the extended family she has through bringing up her own children. Fascinating to listen to how she's navigates the bends and curves of life in Laos, she has a big brain, a big heart and a great sense of fun.