The MITTAPHAP project, which includes a restaurant and guesthouse, aims to create jobs and offer quality training. We focus on building skills through hands-on work in areas like education, accounting, and entrepreneurship.
Our team includes both Lao and international staff who manage volunteers, lead educational programs, and support daily operations. Everyone works across departments to gain practical experience.
We strongly believe in involving the local community—not just as workers or students, but as leaders and decision-makers. Everyone on the team helps shape the direction of the project.
In the future, we plan to grow by supporting local income opportunities, such as handmade crafts, a student-run market, and promoting natural local products to increase self-reliance.
Initially volunteering at Sae Lao during college, Peter has now been serving as director since 2019. Peter manages the whole team at just 26 years of age and has helped relaunch the site and now serves as the key link with local authorities—while also making volunteers feel welcome and valued.
Tui joined in October 2023, starting in the restaurant before becoming Assistant Coordinator. He manages all things volunteer—welcoming, supporting, and ensuring they enjoy their time. Tui is deeply valued for his dedication, passion, and kindness.
Maemai is our wonderful chef of our restaurant. She prepares lunch for the volunteers each day and serves restaurant guests delicious dishes and drinks !
Steven's job is to get in touch with new volunteers as soon as they have registered. He gives them all the information they need to prepare for their arrival and organizes their integration into the team. Steven plays key role in developing the restaurant and seeking new funds to finance the association's needs.
He takes the volunteer to school, to activities and into town on friday evenings. Several mornings a week, he drive Maemai to the market to stock up on supplies for the restaurant and buy any school supplies that are needed. He is also responsible for maintaining the camp's green spaces. Always kind and smiling, PoMai plays a key role in daily life at Mittaphap.
The role of the teacher assistant is to support the teacher by translating from English to Lao or vice versa to ensure that the lesson runs smoothly and is easily understood by everyone. The rest of the day, she works at the restaurant as a kitchen assistant alongside MaeMai, but also as a barista, she will carefully prepare delicious lattes or Thai teas for you.
Want to make a difference but short on time? Visit the Sae Lao Restaurant, where we serve delicious traditional Lao dishes and refreshing fruit shakes—all made with fresh, organic ingredients.
Relax and recharge on your way to Poukham Cave or Blue Lagoon 1 while enjoying Memai’s home-cooked specialties.
Every meal supports our mission—all proceeds go directly back into the SAE LAO Project to pay staff, fund community initiatives, and sustain our free English classes.
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.
MITTAPHAP-Siem Reap Project is located in the Preah Dak village, 12km away from Angkor Wat, Siem Reap.
Located in the quiet Nathong Village, 7km outside of Vang Vieng in Lao PDR. Next to Blue Lagoon 1.