Minimum requirement for short term volunteering at SAE LAO is two weeks. We preferably accept volunteers once a week every Sunday. Please make sure that you are in Vang Vieng by Saturday to ensure that we can get you to the project on Sunday morning. If you would like to start your SAE LAO volunteering another day of the week, please let us know at the application form.
We are part of a community and all of us contribute to the daily upkeep of the site. The rest of the time is free for you to explore the nearby villages and stunning natural surroundings. We ask you contribute at least 5 hours work each day, although this depends on the season and the number of volunteers on site. If there is a lot of work to do, most volunteers are willing to do a little more. Most volunteers are asked to assist with teaching; this is the main afternoon activity. If you do not wish to assist with teaching, please let us know, as we rely on volunteers to keep our English classes going.
We have a 21 beds dorm on the project site. Shower with hot water and toilet block are near by.
Volunteer Info Your-life-with-us_Saelao update.pdf
SAE LAO has been self-sufficient since its creation thanks to the volunteers participation. In order to keep the SAE LAO Project running and expanding we charge a small fee from volunteers. The fee is mainly used for buying food to feed everyone involved with the project (volunteers, staff and the wider SAE LAO family who live at the site ), paying wages for the local staff, and if we still have some left it goes towards buying materials and tools – for building projects, teaching, sign painting etc. This equates to $13 per day.
| First two weeks | One-time Donation for Education | Total Per Person | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation | $182 ($13/day) | $29 | $211 |
We have bedding, drinking water, mosquito nets and lots of food, but below are some suggestions for what to pack:
you will be working with the Lao people. The Lao culture is modest about dress, so nothing too short or too low cut. If you have spare space in your backpack we are always in need of tools, drinking water testing kits, water testing kits (pH, O2 etc.) soil testing kits, books, teaching materials, pens, whiteboard markers and much more. Or email us to ask us for specific things we might need at the time.
We only do our orientation once a week, which is on Sunday morning. Therefore we would advise you to apply for a date, which is on Sunday only.
Try to arrive in Vang Vieng at least one day earlier and make your way to the SAE LAO founder’s guesthouse where we will arrange transportation to the SAE LAO Project at 9am on a Sunday morning.
The guesthouse is called Sengkeo Guesthouse, located on the main road of Vang Vieng next to Sisoumang temple. You can download the Vang Vieng Town Map here.
Alternatively, you can catch a tuk-tuk from Vang Vieng to the Blue Lagoon, which is located next to SAE LAO. Tuk-tuks are quite expensive and cost about 150,000 kip for a whole group (approximately $20).
We require that you pay at least the 2 weeks minimum on your arrival and than the rest within the first week if you are staying longer than 2 weeks. Refunds will only be made under exceptional circumstances. We just want to make sure you are fully committed to us as we will be to you. You are welcome to pay by bank transfer before arrival but we will charge an additional 5% due to associated fees.
Please contact us before hand if you would like to do a bank transfer. For groups over 6 people, please contact us , as we will calculate your costs differently on a case-by-case basis. SAE LAO is happy to accept interns from all around the world, for a minimum of 8 weeks. Please contact us to discuss your internship. You are booked and ready to go? But what about your visa ? Read more here. Find more information about facilities and volunteer life in our Volunteer Info
Apply Now
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.
