​Lawpa Mayoe (Seed of Hope Founder) fled the war zone of Burma when he was 13. In the struggle for his family to simply survive, the opportunity to go to school was not an option. Later, as he and his wife, Bairak, began raising their three children in a remote village, they were determined to change the narrative. Lawpa moved his family off the mountain, along with 20 other children, so they could have the opportunity to attend school and receive citizenship if necessary. There are no schools in the remote mountain villages and traveling daily to school is not an option. In the beginning, Lawpa and Bairak boarded all of the children in their home and on a small budget.

Ryan and Rebecca Stowell met Lawpa and Bairak in 2012. They quickly saw their incredible vision to improve the lives of marginalized children and a wonderful ministry partnership was formed as the Seed of Hope Project.

The Seed of Hope Project is located at the base of the Doi Mon Lan mountains in Phrao (approximately 2 hours north of Chiang Mai). Over the last 13 years, Seed of Hope has grown into a vibrant, gospel-centered community focused on three key objectives: Spiritual Formation, Education and Sustainable Life Skills. Today, the Seed of Hope is a full-time residential dorm for over 30 children and 8 full-time staff. The SOH campus includes staff and student housing, agricultural land known as Parkerland, and a newly opened Education Center that’s helping expand opportunities for the next generation.

Plewfire & Paeng Santisathit
Directors & Dorm Parents

Lawpa & Bairak Mayoe
Co-Founders & SOH Coffee

Ryan & Rebecca Stowell
Co-Founders & SOH Coffee (Missionary)

Paul & Karyn Meier
Project Coaches (Missionary)

Don & Susan Thayer
U.S. Support Team & P-REX Coffee (Missionary)

Seed of Hope Coffee gives a portion of their annual sales to the Seed of Hope Education Fund which provides scholarships for students seeking higher education, vocational training as well as counseling opportunities. This fund has already supported over ten students in receiving bachelors degrees. Those that have graduated university have received degrees in nursing, teaching, dentistry, business, English and Mandarin languages, Bible School and Culinary School. There are currently three students attending university and receiving support. The Education Fund also provides funding for vocational training scholarships to students and Staff at the Seed of Hope Project. The staff has also been able to use funds to provide various types of counseling courses for trauma therapy (specifically for children), art therapy courses as well as parenting courses. The parenting courses not only help the parents, but allow them to become certified to teach parenting classes at the Seed of Hope Project.

In early 2020, through our friendship with Ryan and Rebecca Stowell, it was mentioned that funds were needed to purchase a piece of property near the Seed of Hope Project that could be used for rice fields.  The rice fields would provide a sustainable food source for the students and staff. When Parker went to Heaven, there was no doubt as to what we could help with.​ Parker's Memorial Fund was set up to help purchase this land. We are humbled to say that money was given above and beyond what was needed! This beautiful piece of land is now called PARKERLAND. 

In January 2023 our family was able see Parkerland for the first time. A Dedication Service was held with the Seed of Hope Staff and others from the village.  A beautiful memorial sign was hand crafted by an Akha man and framed by Lawpa.

It now stands at the entrance of Parkerland and says:​
"PARKERLAND"
Dedicated to the glory of God and in loving memory of:
Parker Rex Thayer
9/29/00 - 8/05/20

Parker's love of Thailand and Burma brought him to this region on three different occasions for the purpose of service. He was planning to return to Thailand when the Lord called him to his eternal home.
"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
Philippians 1:21

All 3 missionary families (Ryan & Rebecca Stowell, Paul & Karyn Meier & Don & Susan Thayer) raise their own support.

Seed of Hope Coffee and P-REX Coffee are for-profit business startups that aim to support the Seed of Hope Community through purchasing coffee parchment at a higher-than-fair-trade price, providing jobs and working towards a financially supportive role to the Seed of Hope Project in the future.

P-REX Coffee returns all profit to Thailand.