Getting STarted

The minimum stay for short-term volunteers at SAE LAO is two weeks.  We usually accept new volunteers on Sundays, so please arrive in Vang Vieng by Saturday to join the transport to the project site on Sunday morning.
 If you need to arrive on a different day, let us know in your application—we’ll do our best to accommodate you.

We also welcome interns from around the world! If you’re interested in an internship of at least 8 weeks, we’d love to hear from you—get in touch to explore the possibilities.

Your Role

As part of our community, everyone helps with the daily upkeep of the site.  We ask volunteers to contribute around 5 hours of work per day, though this may vary depending on the season and number of volunteers. Most people are happy to help a bit more when needed.  Teaching English is our main afternoon activity, and most volunteers take part. If you prefer not to teach, just let us know—we rely on volunteers to keep these free classes going.  Outside of work hours, you’re free to relax or explore the nearby villages and beautiful surroundings.

Accomodation

As a volunteer, you’ll stay in our on-site dormitory. If you prefer more privacy, we can arrange a low-cost room at our nearby guesthouse (subject to availability).

What To Bring

We have bedding, drinking water, mosquito nets, but below are some suggestions for what to pack:

Comfortable clothes for work (expect to get dirty)
Modest clothes for teaching (shoulders and knees covered and nothing low-cut)
Hat and sunscreen
Towel or sarong
Light sleeping bag (November–February)
Warm jacket or sweater (November–February)
Flip-flops or sandals
Toiletries (including insect repellent)
Flashlight or headlamp
Some cash

Optional:

Games (we have Uno, playing cards, and chess)
Recipes
Snacks (although we have plenty of food, volunteers enjoy having snacks)

Bonus:

If you have room to spare, we’re always grateful for donated items that support our work. Some helpful contributions include:

Tools (for construction and maintenance)
Water testing kits (pH, oxygen, etc.)
Soil testing kits
Books and teaching materials
Pens, notebooks, and whiteboard markers
Not sure what to bring? Feel free to email us to ask what’s most needed at the time. Every little bit helps!

Your Arrival

Start Date

Our volunteer orientation takes place only on Sunday mornings, so please apply for a Sunday arrival.

Arrive in Vang Vieng

Plan to arrive in Vang Vieng at least one day before—by Saturday. You likely won’t make it to Vang Vieng on time if you leave from Vientiane or Luang Prabang on Sunday morning.

Meet at Mad Monkey

On Sunday at 9:30 AM, we’ll wait for volunteers at Mad Monkey — please be ready outside. If needed, you can take a tuk-tuk from Vang Vieng to the Sae Lao, typically costs around 150,000 kip (~$7) per person/group.

Cost

We have been self-sustaining since it began, thanks to the support of our volunteers. To keep the project running and growing, we ask each volunteer to contribute a small daily fee.

This cost covers:

Pick up and drop off to and from Sae Lao on Sundays
Three meals a day, fruit, and drinking water
Accommodation
Weekly visits to a lagoon

Cost for Two Weeks

Payment Information

We ask that volunteers pay for the minimum 2-week stay PAY TWO WEEKS BEFORE arrival. If you’re staying longer, the remaining balance should be paid within your first week. Refunds are only issued under exceptional circumstances, as we count on your commitment just as much as you count on ours.

Make A Real Difference with Mittaphap

Support SAE LAO and help build a brighter future in rural Laos. You can volunteer to teach, farm, or support community projects—or donate to keep our programs running. Every bit of help makes a real difference.