People are one of the main aspects that define a country. This cannot be truer than in Cambodia. It is hard to deny the warm and sincere smiles one feel when visiting the country. The citizens are hospitable, friendly and genuinely care about making traveler’s time in their country the most memorable.

Unfortunately, the smiles are few and far in between nowadays as Cambodia is experiencing some of the worst flooding in years. Many families are forced to evacuate their homes and others have limited access to food and water.

The children at Green Gecko are doing their best to change all of that. Who are these children? What are they doing to help? What is Green Gecko? Green Gecko is a home, school and family for 70 children who previously lived and begged on the streets of Siem Reap. The NGO provides security, education, love and opportunities to these children through their formative years and into their adult lives, empowering them to achieve their full potential. The project also supports the children’s families and the broader community through long term health, education and training initiatives.

What these children are doing is remarkable. Starting on October 19^th 2011, they are using what little saving money they have from their own food spending to buy rice, canned fish, soy sauce and clean water to families that need help. This initiative immediately caught the attention of Hotel de la Paix, Golden Banana Boutique Hotel and Resort, Heritage Suites Hotel and last but not least, Exotissimo Travel. All helped in packing the food and water to three villages and 400 families in the outskirts of Siem Reap. Another 470 families in Kampong Thom received the same assistance. Further initiatives are planned for other affected areas in the coming weeks.

“As a leading tour destination management company in Southeast Asia, we feel it is our duty to help the people of the region whenever they are in need,” said Hamish Keith Chief Operations Manager of Exotissimo Travel. “This is an excellent initiative and fine spirit shown by the children at Green Gecko to get this going. We are proud to work alongside them as well as our friends from the hotels.”

A truly inspiration gesture indeed! Already facing tough times and hardships, these children are more than willing to sacrifice what little they have in order to restore happiness to Cambodia’s people and bring the famous smiles back to their faces. People truly do define what a country is all about.

Anyone wishing to help should contact go.cambodia@exotissimo.com or go to http://www.razoo.com/story/Floodreliefcollaboration to donate online.