Our history
1902-1998 : The origins
In 1902, a young Swiss couple, Gabriel and Marguerite Contesse, set down their suitcases in Laos and set out to serve the poorest populations. Unfortunately, they died of illness a few years later. Their dedication to Laos paved the way for a whole generation of Swiss expatriates who were particularly active among lepers and the marginalised.
Despite the two world wars, the projects continued as best they could, and from the 1960s onwards, the number of development projects increased. Unfortunately, the repeated conflicts in Indochina and the advent of a hard-line communist regime brought an end to our involvement in Laos.
But this was without counting on young Swiss and French people’s passion for Laos, who were motivated to revive what was to become the Service Fraternel d’Entraide.
1998-2000 : Small beginnings
A single project: a medical cooperation with the Attapeu hospital began and an office in Vientiane opened at the end of 1996 run by a Laotian coordinator.
2000-2007 : Expansion phase
With the arrival of Philippe Schmidt, the expatriate director in Laos, the activities diversified and the projects multiplied: a start-up of a fair trade silk business, support with equipment for a hospital in Vientiane, support for the Savannakhet ophthalmology hospital, a start-up of a medical project and a silk project in Luang Namth, the launch of a silk and agriculture project in Thateng (Sekong province), and the creation of the Mai Savanh Lao (MSL) company.
2007-2010 : Transition period
SFE is separated from MSL, which continues to develop independently as a social enterprise under the direction of Philippe Schmidt. The silk project in Kapeu develops into a full agricultural project. The continuation of the projects in Luang Namtha encountered administrative difficulties which led the SFE to concentrate its activities in the southern provinces.
2010-2017 : Towards community development
Initiation and deployment of community development projects in the fields of health, agriculture and water began initially in Attapeu, then in the province of Sékong, and finally in Salavane. At the same time, the SFE contributed its expertise to a programme to combat tuberculosis (2009-2014).
2017-2023 : Diversification of partners
The SFE reorganised its operations, with a national representative in Vientiane. More responsibility is now being given to Laotian staff and the teams are welcoming expatriates from various countries. At the same time, cooperation with other local players is being developed: TerraClear Production in Paksé, the ADF foundation in Savannakhet, with Laotian doctors in the field of mental health, etc.
In 2021, a pilot project in the field of integration and disability was tested in Attapeu before being redefined and deployed in autumn 2023.