Mae Yao Local is the idea of former 'The Mirror Foundation' staff member, Thellie, who spent 17 years working with their Ecotours project. When he left in mid-2024, partly to set up a homestay, but also to spend more time working on projects and hobbies, the foundation decided to close the trekking programme.
As a result of the programme closure, and the impact this would have on the livelihoods of guides and local communities' incomes, Thellie decided to begin promoting these programmes himself. In fact, he is updating and expanding the programmes, to include craft workshops and cookery classes.
Mae Yao Local is the umbrella name which encompasses the ecotours programmes, the homestay (Circle A homestay), and some other projects still in the planning stage.
All of these programmes are run in order to continue the empowerment of local hilltribe communities, to maintain their cultural heritages, and hopefully to engage younger community members in gaining knowledge and skills in these areas.