We support in: Vietnam | Thailand | Cambodia | Laos | Myanmar

Exotissimo Travel: Making a Difference in Cambodia

Memories of Cambodia's tragic past may be fading but the effects are lingering. Poor infrastructure, disabled war veterans, helpless victims of landmines and a rapidly increasing population are all remnants of war. We are passionate about helping the Cambodian people, preserving ancient arts and protecting the natural environs that are being polluted and logged. We work closely with several organizations and encourage our travelers to make a difference on their Cambodia tour. Community-based initiatives, charity run craft shops and vocational training centers are just a few of the charities we support.

ChildSafe Certified

Exotissimo Cambodia is officially ChildSafe certified. ChildSafe is a network of local and international business and groups that protect children from abuse and prevent them from being placed in abusive situations. Cambodia has over 24,000 youth living and working on the streets and ChildSafe not only runs an 'always-open' support center for children, but is also training key people to keep their eyes open for situations where children may be at risk and to know how to respond. As a member of the ChildSafe organization, Exotissimo vows not to employ under-aged staff, to terminate staff that does not comply with the child protection code, promote ChildSafe information to our agents and clients and train our guides in ChildSafe practices.

How to help:

• Be ChildSafe- learn tips on how to be a responsible traveler
• Support ChildSafe certified businesses, including taxi drivers and restaurants
• Avoid situations and actions that may lead to child exploitation
• Purchase products made from parents or youth in training

Isanborei Craft Hut

Exotissimo has helped the German Development Corporation (GTZ) to develop community-based tourism in the Sambor Prei Kuk (SPK) area. One result of this collaboration is the Isanborei Craft Hut which was established to revive traditional craft-making skills, reduce poverty and encourage the conservation and development of the SPK area. This community-run shop sells a variety of handicrafts and is a centre of information about the surrounding ancient monuments and villages.

How to help:

• Purchase handicrafts at Isanborei Craft Hut
• Enjoy a picnic lunch in Sambor Prei Kuk prepared by the villagers
• Rent a bicycle from the Craft Hut to ride around the temples
• Take an oxcart ride through the village
• Enjoy an overnight homestay

The Isanborei Craft Hut is visited on several of our Cambodia tours including our Sambor Prey Kuk Escape

Tourism for Help

A non-profit project in northern Cambodia along the Mekong Discovery Trail, Tourism for Help (TfH) aims to help underprivileged youth by training them in hospitality. Basic English speaking skills, catering, tour guiding, customer relations and maintenance are some of the training offered as part of a free education program. Exotissimo is happy to give TfH a helping hand by using their restaurant and catering services for our tour groups.

How to help:

• Dine at TfH restaurant in Stung Treng
• Spend a few hours teaching English and interacting with the trainees
• Make a donation to support TfH's training programs

TfH can be visited while touring Stung Treng on our Pakse To Siem Reap trip  

Stung Treng Women's Development Center

Situated in Cambodia's far north is the Stung Treng Women's Development Center (SWDC), an organization which aims include breaking the poverty cycle and improving the living standards of the region's impoverished women. The center offers various educational and vocational programs to reduce female illiteracy rates and empower women. Mekong Blue, SWDC's weaving center, provides an avenue for women to pick up sustainable life skills through silk weaving.

How to help:

• Purchase a silk product from Mekong Blue
• Donate school or other educational materials to SWDC
• Volunteer to teach English at the center
• Have a cup of coffee or snack at the center's café

To learn more about SWDC visit their website here

The SWDC and Mekong Blue can be visited while touring Stung Treng on our Pakse to Siem Reap Eco Experience

Koh Trong Village Project

Koh Trong is a small village that lies in the middle of the Mekong River near Kratie along the Mekong Discovery Trail. A 12-km loop around Koh Trong provides visitors with the opportunity to enjoy Cambodian rural life and meet the island's friendly and hospitable community. For Exotissimo's soft adventure trips to Koh Trong, bicycles are rented from the locals and guests enjoy a 2-hour leisurely pedal along the river. As the island grows an abundance of fruits, fruit tasting stops in local residences are organized to introduce visitors to tropical flavors and traditional Khmer houses.

How to help:

• Rent a bike from the villagers
• Buy and sample tropical fruits grown by the locals

For more information about visiting Koh Trong, contact cambodia@exotissimo.com.

Artisans D'Angkor

Artisans D'Angkor helps Cambodia's rural youth to find employment opportunities in their home villages and to preserve and promote Cambodia's rich legacy in traditional craft making. At the training centers located in and around Siem Reap, young artisans learn skills such as stone and wood carving, lacquering, gilding and silk production. Founded by the Cambodian Ministry of Education, the French Foreign Ministry and the European Union, Artisans D'Angkor is now a self-financing project and has established a reputation for its quality products.

How to help:

• Purchase souvenirs from Artisans D'Angkor shop
• Take a guided tour of the training facilities and showrooms

Visits to Artisans D'Angkor shops are included in most of our Siem Reap tours, including Temples of Angkor

Friends International

Friends International (FI) has developed many innovative projects to help Southeast Asia's street children and their families. FI provides health care, vocational training, basic education and counseling among other programs to Phnom Penh's street children who are often vulnerable to trafficking and prostitution. The organization's income-generation program enables parents to earn a living so that their children are able to attend school and not work on the streets.   

How to help:

• Purchase recycled creations made under FI's income-generation program

Exotissimo encourages travelers to visit the Friend's Café in Phnom Penh for lunch or dinner or the organization's Romdeng Restaurant for dinner. Both not-for-profit diners are training restaurants run by former street youth and their teachers. Our Cambodia Culture and Cuisine includes dinner at Romdeng