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Laos was covered by rainforest 20 years ago, however, as a result of logging and the growth of tourism over the last ten years there has been significant changes to the natural environment. Vang Vieng particularly has experienced a dramatic increase in construction (guesthouses, restaurants) to support the tourists who are drawn to Vang Vieng’s beautiful landscape and the Song River.
Australian news July 30, 2011: “Down the Tube“
Malaysian news Dec. 24, 2011: “Making a difference“; “Getting involved“
Old World Wandering Jan 23, 2012: “An Alternative to Tubing in Vangvieng”
Before tourism came to Vang Vieng, most of the people depended on the forest for hunting, the rivers for fishing, and the land for rice cultivation. On the one hand, this development has created new opportunities in the tourism industry, but on the other hand the speed of development has led to a great loss of natural resources, especially the rainforests.
The rapid cutting down of trees is impacting negatively on the local ecosystem. For example, every year the river has less water than the year before and fertile soil is washed away. Without reforestation programs in place, the ecological system is getting out of balance.
The locals are unaware of the environmental issues. Each household continues to cut thousands of small trees for fire wood without any of the local people being aware of how to decrease this use. It would be beneficial for locals to replant trees after they cut them down, however it is important they are taught how to use the firewood more efficiently.
SAELAO, a community project based outside of Vang Vieng, seeks to address this ecological imbalance through a series of sustainable projects.
These include:
Educating local people on how to use natural resources such as trees more effectively.
SAELAO is working towards setting up an information resource library for the local people to educate them on the consequence of removing trees on rice cultivation and their future sustainability.
Teaching local people how to burn wood more effectively to minimize it’s use.
SAELAO is currently demonstrating to the local people how to use a rocket stove. A rocket stove has been shown to use only 10% of firewood and is an effective way to decrease the use of fire wood. How to make a rocket stove.
Introduce the use of biogas technology.
SAELAO is currently setting up the use of biogas and is hoping in the future to have all local homes in the village using this form of technology. This energy source decreases the use of firewood and generates natural fertilizer that can be used in farming.
Hi my name is Theo, im 19 and from Australia. I’m really interested in volunteering for others in need and i’m hoping there is a place during August 2012 for any sort of work, however I would love the experience of undertaking your teaching program. I left a message at ecoteer.com, and I look forward to your response, Thanks.
Thank you for you message Theo, you are welcome to join us during August.
See you then,
Snegkeo
Hi!
I also sent you a message on ecoteer.com, but I´ll send it here as well: My name is Mali and Im from Norway. Me and my partner, Marius, who is also from Norway, want to come and work for your project for about 3 weeks in july. Do you think there will be any available space for us to work and stay with you in that period?Youre project seems really compelling, great variation. We both want to build, work on a farm, teach english and learn to know your culture.
Mali & Marius
Hi Mali,
Thank for posting your message on both of our website and ecoteer .com, we’ll definitely have space for you in July you we’ll be doing mainly rice cultivation, and always teach if the kids not so busy helping their parents rice farming.
In term of building do to the fact it rainy season we can not do much, but its possible if we prepare and have all materials ready to build.
right now I ask local people gather some raw materials to build more bamboo bungalows.
Looking forward to have you with us in July
Sengkeo
sounds good:) ordered the tickets yesterday. We´re looking forward to everything!
Hi, are you looking for volunteer workers for your project?
Come and have a look on http://www.staydu.com. We have volunteers from all over the world looking for free accommodation in return for their work.
Register and then click on “Be a host”. – Your Inserate is for free!
Any questions? – Just send an email.
Best Regards
Alessandro Schneider
Thanks Alessan
Hi everyone in Saelao!!
It was a bike trip to the blue lagoon that I stumbled upon your project site. The sign definitely helps. It was well crafted and colorfully painted. I went in to refill my water and spoke to a guy there. I regret not asking for his name.
Back home after the trip to Laos, I kept thinking about the people that I met there. I love the whole of the 7km ride to the blue lagoon and hope one day, I could go there to volunteer. Will you welcome me?
Wishing the whole Saelao family, a blessed Christmas!!
Thanks you for comment, of course we will great you! Saelao is a community to share time between Lao life and the beautiful nature.
Don’t hesitate to contact us by email to plant your next trip in Lao within the Saelao familly.
Jerome
Hi Bob,
I reckon this website is worth a look at – http://www.ecoteer.com/
You could advertise Saelaos for free on this global volunteer website, you’ll just need to register. Hope everything is going well and that you are on your way to putting some of those plans into action. I admire your vision and energy to undertake this project.
Cheers
Anna
Thank you so much Anna, I’ve done the register now just waiting for the approval.
Sengkeo
I spent three weeks at SaeLao and it was one of the high lights of my trip in Asia. I got to teach the great children English and be part of the construction effort. The work really doesn’t feel like work at all but like an interesting hobby.
SaeLao is a special experience because you can really do good while you learn new things and have fun. In addition, you really get inside the culture by spending time with the local people.
I would definitely recommend the SaeLao experience to everyone! You won’t regret it!
Jukka Vesala
Finland
SAELAO- what a fabulous project!
I spent a week here in May and loved every moment of it. It is such a valuable project which is doing really important things in Vang Vieng. I spent the week teaching English, rice planting, building, weaving and project planning.
One of the things which really stood out for me with this project is the passion of the lovely people involved and getting to know the local village people who were so welcoming. I went to 3 parties and 1 wedding in one week!- the Lao people really do know how to enjoy life!
It is such a valuable project I am continuing my involvement from Australia. Can’t wait to get back to SAELAO again soon.
Wow, nice website. I worked and played at saelao for about 3 weeks. Had one of the best times of my life there. Such a nice project. Realy good contact with local people. Learned a lot there. The help was also realy apreciated and great food indeed! If I go back to Laos, I will definitely go back there. Love to the saelao family!
I stumbled on Saelao on my way to the Blue Lagoon and immediately fell in love with the place. It turned out to be the best two weeks of my trip. Never have i met such amazing and friendly people. I would recommend volunteering at Saelao to anyone who wants a rewarding and fulfilling experience, as well as a lot of fun and more amazingly delicious food than you could possibly eat. Would love to come back again in the future. Even if you cant stay and volunteer, stay and have something to eat and have the best shake you will ever have
Thank you everyone for all the positive post, Just wanted to say all of you will always have home at Saelao, and Saelao always needed you to be apart of it. Thank you all Saelao family.
Saelao is amazing we had such a nice time with bob and the rest of the family. Its such a great opportunity to help out on a grass root level and really see the change you can bring to a community! I loved Lao and Saelao even more can’t wait to get back, Much love and light to all the family X
I stayed at the SaeLao farm for a few weeks and loved it. The people that work there are wonderful. I learned a lot and ate a lot of great food. I would recommend this to anyone spending some time in Laos!
I heard about this project on my travels in Laos and was so glad that I took the time out to visit the project. I only could stay for 5 days but even a week is not enough to take in this amazing place. It has such a good heart and such a solid spirit and I cant wait to go back to help it flourish and live up to the full potential that it can.
In my days there I worked on a rice farm building walls, planting rice, fundraising in Vang Vieng and raising awareness, as well as serving in the restaurant, teaching english, designing leaflets, coming up with some Ideas and generally having an amazing time.
The family is so welcoming and I strongly urge anyone in Laos who is intrested in environmental issues or any doing any of the actuvuties above to give Saelao a change. It will change your life.
Ah SAELAO!
What to say – I went for one day and stayed for TWELVE!
I had the best time there – this is the TRUE LAO experience
I worked a rice field in the boiling sun and then the freezing rain in one day! Taught the local kids English and dance, ate wonderful food and got to know a great family in the shape of Bob’s family
I really recommend this project to anyone looking for a true LAO experience and even if you’re not you should head down buy a fruitshake and support a wonderful cause!
If you’re reading this you’re interested already right?
Responsibility is your response to your current surroundings – the environment in Vang Vieng is slowly dying due to tourism and lack of education, so if you can help to change this and educate the local people about how to be sustainable then what you waiting for?
Thanks for everything Bob and SEE YOU SOON!
Rachel x
SAELAO was one of the most amazing experiences of my travels. I learned how to farm rice (I can never think of rice in the same way again!) and weave bamboo. We would wake up in the morning, have breakfast in the chill little restaurant, work for a few hours, jump in a beautiful stream and swim for awhile. Then we would eat a delicious lunch and nap, then work some more, and then top of the day by swimming in the blue lagoon with all of the local children. At night we would give an English lesson to the local children, and then all of the volunteers would hang out together. It was such a relaxed and enjoyable life. On the Buddha days (one day off per week), Bob will take you on an adventure that you’ll never forget!
I met so many interesting people, learned so much, and feel like I really got to know a side of Laos that most people never see. It’s amazing to think that the tubers are only 7 km away! Come here to experience the real Vang Vieng.
I would high recommend saelao to anyone who wants to get their hands dirty and learn more about Lao people. The owner of saelao, Bob is passionate about environmentally and social issues as well as building something that can really help people in his community. I worked in the organic farm picking peanuts and vegetables, teaching eager to learn children at his new community centre, constructing a bamboo hunt and build a garden. Accommodation was confortable and simple, food is delicious and lifestyle is easy going. Bob’s “business” model is run like a family. Its informal common scenes, everyone’s works together, sharing skills and knowledge. Come with what you have and do what you can. Thank you Bob for an amazing time in Vieng Vang.
Volunteering with SAE Laos was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. You have a very genuine project here, that is really focused making positive change out of the results of tourism. The people and environment of Vang Vieng are beautiful and I applaud your efforts to keep this place special.