At SAE LAO people from around the world come together to discover and share experiences and knowledge with the Lao community to make a more sustainable way of life.
SAE LAO is a sustainable development project located in Nathong Village, near the city of Vang Vieng, Lao PDR. The project consists of a small organic farm, a community centre that provides daily English classes, and a volunteer project for international visitors.
The mission of the SAE LAO project is to provide a holistic model for sustainable development in order to manage natural resources in an efficient, effective, and equitable manner.
The program is based on two key ideas:
We want to be at the forefront of sustainable development in Lao. The benefits of this approach will be promoted through practical economic, social and environmental projects in Nathong Village, Vang Vieng and SAE LAO Project will be an acknowledged leader in this way of working and living.
We have already been recognised for our work by becoming the Energy Globe Awards National winner for Lao PDR in 2015.
2015 saw SAE LAO win the Energy Globe National Award for Lao PDR.
‘With 177 participating countries, the ENERGY GLOBE Award is today’s most prestigious environmental award. It is awarded annually to projects focusing on energy efficiency, renewable energies and the conservation of resources. The awards for these many projects are presented in their recipients’ individual countries in cooperation with our partners, in particular with the international offices of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce.’
Read more about our Energy Globe Award here.
In order to model these ideals, the SAE LAO project aims to achieve the following:
So far, SAE LAO has been successful in achieving a number of its goals. There are 5 full-time paid Lao staff members and part time staff members, consistent English classes, a fully operational restaurant, and a consistent vibrant volunteer community. In addition, the organic garden produces already some fruits, vegetables and herbs, that we use in the restaurant. Buildings are made of sustainable materials, primarily bamboo, timber and mud bricks.
Besides all of that, there remains much room for growth. We want to implement new community projects, expanding our adult education and skills training and slowly improving our systems on site with the aim of creating a closed circular economy. All waste is good waste.
Some of the upcoming projects include involving the local community in producing and selling natural and local products to boost their income and creating more energy efficient and environmentally water systems on site.
SAE LAO is looking to partner with international and national organizations to receive the funding, resources, and knowledge necessary to make improvements. These partnerships will aid SAE LAO in establishing sustainable non-profit commercial enterprises and making improvements to current facilities and programs.
We are thrilled to have you join us here at the Saelao Project. By becoming part of our community, you’re stepping into an inspiring journey focused on education, sustainability, and meaningful connections with the local community. Together, we work to create a positive impact, not only by teaching and learning but by building a better future for everyone involved.
