Our Mission
Pom Foundation’s mission is to preserve, foster, transmit, and educate about Lao arts, culture, and traditions through community programs.
“There is a huge gap in learning about Lao culture and traditions - Lao history is literally missing! We’re seeing the negative impacts of our parents/relatives being refugee immigrants and the Asian diaspora.”
— Katherina Vongphrachanh, Volunteer Program Manager for Kinnaly Lao Music & Dance
Before being called Pom Foundation, the organization started off as a Laotian dance troupe called Kinnaly, founded in 2002 by the passion and dedication of cultural trailblazer and community leader, Pom Khampradith.
Over the years, Kinnaly grew tremendously, and the Lao Heritage Foundation was created to foster rapid growth across the nation. Pom Khampradith helped organized some of the first traditional Lao music classes, cultural exchange programs, Lao talent shows, Lao summer camps, and educational summits in the nation. She made it her life’s work to continue the mission of preserving, fostering, and educating about Laos arts and culture.
In the background of all the community work, Pom was also battling breast cancer. She had a long ongoing battle against cancer and even beat it a few times, but unfortunately cancer eventually tookover.
With the heartbreaking passing of Pom Khampradith in 2007, the Seattle chapter of the Lao Heritage Foundation separated and rightly formed the Pom Foundation.
The Pom Foundation, continues on their late founder's legacy and works to build on what she started over 20 years ago.