New recruits for First Steps training in Siem Reap

First Step Social Work Training started this week in Siem Reap and we‘re very proud that HOPE is supporting this great training project, helping to build capacity in Cambodia to address some of the growing challenges. 19 participants will spend 352 hours over the next year learning, sharing and developing skills and confidence to work with male youth. 

 Not only do HOPE trustees fundamentally believe this training is essential to youth work in general, our work on the ground provides us with insight that qualified social work training is urgently required in Siem Reap. This is, as the programme name suggests, the first steps to help overcome some of the negative social impacts arising from the rapid increase of tourism and unequal spread of wealth associated with it.  

This comprehensive social work training will cover the following topics, Knowing yourself, Knowing your Client, Understanding Abuse and Exploitation, Impacts and Effects and Helping and Supporting. Key to the training is the development of critical thinking which can be applied to any social work situation including working with families.  The impact can be felt beyond each organisation into the wider community.

We’re equally pleased with the fact that some of the projects we have been supporting since our onset are participating in the training including: Sangkheum Center, This Life Cambodia and Anjali House.

]]> http://www.hopeforcambodia.org.uk/2013/05/12/first-step-training-starts-in-siem-reap-may-2013/feed/ 0 http://www.hopeforcambodia.org.uk/2013/05/06/rachels-mud-race/ http://www.hopeforcambodia.org.uk/2013/05/06/rachels-mud-race/#comments Mon, 06 May 2013 19:08:49 +0000 Jo http://www.hopeforcambodia.org.uk/?p=944

Rachel completes the Maldon Mud Race

On Sunday 5th of May Rachel bravely conquered the infamous Maldon Mud Race. The race is an annual event where those inclined wade through the mud and water of the river Blackwater at Maldon in Essex. This year our friend Rachel decided to give it a ‘go’ and in doing so raise some funds not just for HOPE, but for some worthy causes closer to home too!

Rachel’s just giving page will be up for another few months so those who haven’t and still want to support Rachels’ brave effort please do!

Rachel would like to say ‘Thank you to everyone who sponsored me! So far we have raised just over £200, with funds going to HOPE (helping children and young adults in Cambodia) and the race’s official local charities. Please see my just giving page for more info Thank you again for your support!!’

Please see below her photo gallery!

Before the race!

Just in case she cant find her shoes!

And they’re off…

The full course!

Coming through to the finishing line…

In the thick of it….

Still in the thick of it….

At least she is smiling!

Big smiles…!!

Nearly home and dry!

Made it!

Jasmin collecting her race number for the 2013 London Marathon

Congratulations to Jasmin Openshaw for completing this year’s London Marathon in four hours and 9 minutes! Despite a niggling injury and hot weather Jasmin completed her run – A sterling effort and we are very grateful for the time and energy put into raising £320.00 or HOPE! Thanks Jasmin!

After a hard winter training in tough conditions, Jasmin decided to  conquer her fourth marathon and raise money  to be put to good use  in Cambodia where she visited last year on her travels. The reason she chose us was that ‘…The charity has made a difference already to this area of Cambodia giving a chance of a future, breaking from the extreme poverty. Something that was hard to take in from visiting first hand.’

Jasmin’s sponsorship page is still open, so if you would like to support her sterling efforts then please visit http://www.justgiving.com/Jasmin-Openshaw

On the train… on the way

Nearing the starting line…

Congratulations Jasmin!

Khmer New Year 2013 – London

Another year over in the Khmer calender and with it another new year with all it’s fresh hope and challenges!

As we see the new years and seasons come and go we reflect on how fast time has gone since starting H.O.P.E in 2008. At the same pace projects have developed, rejuvenated or stagnated and as Trustees we keep abreast of the ups and downs of projects ensuring that your money is allocated wisely and put to good cause.

Our recent newsletter aims to focus on new projects we’re proposing to fund, demonstrating a positive change in direction to benefit more individuals in a longer term sustainable way.

To read more CLICK HERE!

Some wonderful traditional Khmer foods

Jasmin in training for the 2013 London Marathon

Jasmin Openshaw has created a JustGiving page for friends and family to support her London Marathon Challenge and raise funds for Harnessing Opportunities through Play and Education.

In her own words she says…

After a hard winter training in tough conditions, I have decided to conquer my fourth marathon. This will hopefully be my last if I break the 4 hour time!!

This time I have decided to raise money for a charity in Cambodia where I visited when I went travelling last summer. The money will help the education programme for the young people within Siem Reap which without the support their future would be bleak. The money also allows all ages to access some health care which without it they would not be able to afford to go to the local hospital for any treatment.

The charity has made a difference already to this area of Cambodia giving a chance of a future, breaking from the extreme poverty. Something that was hard to take in from visiting first hand.

You can support Jasmin too by donating on her JUSTGIVING page!

Training in winter for the London Marathon on the 21st of April

Life Skills Students at Soria Moria Hotel

In March students from Salariin Kampuchea visited the Soria Moria Hotel in Siem Reap to learn about what it’s like to work in the hospitality industry in Siem Reap.

Visited Workplace: Soria Moria Boutique Hotel

Short Report:

On the 22nd of March 2013 at 2pm, Life Skills students went to visit Soria Moria hotel. We were welcomed by a General Manager, Ms. Sam Sokha. Our Life Skills students really interested and had a lot of questions to ask Ms.Sam Sokha. This is first field trip which is relevant to Career Training and Social Education that is on the two main topics in the Life Skill Schedule.

First of all, SK’s Team and Life Skills Students would like to say thanks very much to HOPE organization that supports Life Skills project where it can help the students to understand about the Social Life and Careers.

Second of that, thank you very much Ms.Sam Sokha who is a generous and

kind general manager in Soria Moria where she allowed our Life Skills students for a visit and clear out any wondering with fully, clearly and trustworthily explanations for all types of duties and all kinds of conditions and situations for students to understand the reality of daily work, especially about jobs, applications and social communications between the costumers and staff in the hotel. Furthermore, she clarified the strategies how to communicate, try to learn the characteristics of customers while they are staying in the hotel.

Moreover, Ms.Sam Sokha told a little history of her background of duty where she started from a gardener to become a general manager in the hotel. She offered huge concepts how to get jobs in hotel. Also, she guided our students to see all great wonderful the different departments, rooms and places in the hotel.

All in all, all the students were very interesting and happy to see the real lesson plus activity during a trip. They understand the procedure of applications and real social communication.

Students in pool room at Soria Moria Hotel with Director of Salariin Kampuchea Ravy and Soka, General Manager of Soria Moria Hotel

Students in the pool room with Naro, Educational Manager at Salariin Kampuchea

Students outside Soria Moria Hotel on Wat Bo Road Siem Reap

Students in the Fusion Kitchen at Soria Moria Hotel

Young Adult working as a Translator

At the beginning of the year, Jo was back on the ground in Siem Reap – keeping up the communication between H.O.P.E, project managers and young adults.

There are many great things happening and it was good being back on the ground in Cambodia, seeing the projects in action and listening to the stories of progress and change the individual young adults are making.

We are pleased to report that the majority of young adults that we have previously spoken about have successfully graduated from their respective young adults programmes. We have some graduates already out in full time employment supporting themselves and their younger siblings. We also have another group in Phnom Penh living independently or studying at some of the country’s best universities and nursing colleges. Despite these successes, as with all development projects involving this age group, there are frustrations too. Therefore, it is our job and those of the project managers to take stock of the past few years and learn from both mistakes and successes.

One of the young adult projects that HOPE support measures their work by sending out questionnaires to graduates and from monitoring past students and they have learnt that:

• There is a notable difference in those students who graduated from Life Skills who got jobs and those who didn’t.
• The knowledge gained in work experience including how people work in different environments and what to expect in job interviews improved confidence vastly in the job application and interview process
• Those graduated had a broader concept of what jobs entailed
• There is more interest from females and there are currently 15 women enrolled in the class

Interestingly, it can also be ascertained through this measurement that positive result doesn’t just stem from monitoring employment successes, but health ones too. In general it has been noted that young adults enrolled in the Life Skills classes have had a better attendance rate in other classes due to less sickness which has been put down to better knowledge in terms of hygiene, protection and improving one’s health.  This was evident during last year’s pandemic of Dengue Fever which reached critical highs and many students were absent from class. The Life Skills students were better informed and therefore knew how to protect themselves and their families.

So far, there is no direct evidence that this knowledge is reaching the entire community, but wouldn’t it be just great if we could have real tangible results from supporting young adult education of improving health in a community with something as simple as improving knowledge amongst the families?

It is only with the continual commitment of the project managers, the young adults and the funds raised by H.O.P.E that these goals can be met and really start making a difference!

SIEM REAP, 8th November 2012.

For the fourth consecutive year World Responsible Tourism Day was celebrated in Siem Reap, Cambodia.  Hosted at Soria Moria Boutique Hotel in co-operation with ConCERT and Harnessing Opportunities through Play and Education (HOPE). the event coincided with the WTM World Responsible Tourism Day events in London and aimed to showcase examples of Responsible Tourism practices and encourage positive change.

Read more about last year’s successful Responsible Tourism Day events in Siem Reap

After a short welcome note by Kristin Holdø Hansen, representatives from ten local businesses and organisations from the Travel & Tourism-, Education-, Environment- and Health-sector gave short, inspiring and motivational presentations about their excellent work.

With more than 70 people in the audience, Responsible Tourism is certainly on the agenda in Siem Reap.

“We are absolutely thrilled to experience such a big interest for the World Responsible Tourism Day event this year, and next year it looks like we will have to look for a bigger venue” said Ms. Hansen in her welcome note.

Welcome & Introduction by Kristin Holdø Hansen

Presentation by Ms. Ra Nari, ConCERT Cambodia.

Presentation by Ms. Sam Sokha, Soria Moria Educational Development Program

Presentation by Ms. Anna Baranova & Mr. Chor Choch, PEPY Tours

Presentation by Ms. Rachel Band, Rosy Guesthouse

Presentation by Mr. Tim Waterfield, Naga Biofuels

Presentation by Rin Vibol, APLE

Presentation by Ms. Sinketh Arun, Angkor Hospital for Children

Presentation by Mr. Fernando Abreu Hdez, Travel Loops.

Presentation Ms. Rong Molyka, Friends International.

Presentation by Ms. Fiona Jaensch, Sojourn Boutique Villa

Each presentation added significant value to the programme, and after the formal part of the event, there was an open forum on Soria Moria’s rooftop terrace. This was a great opportunity for the different actors on the ground  to discuss how the tourism and travel industry, in collaboration with the local development organisations can have a positive impact on the local communities and environment.

To round of the very  event, Soria Moria offered light snack and Norwegian singer & songwriter, Hilde Marie, performed live music.

Hilde Marie performs at Soria Moria’s Rooftop Terrace

World Travel Market & WTM World Responsible Tourism Day in London

Cambodia was also represented and made a big impact at the Wold Travel Market in London. Michael Horton, Founder and CEO of ConCERT presented about Tourism and Child Protection and HOPE Trustee Jo Hansen did an interesting talk on how ‘Good communication bringing key community benefits in Siem Reap at the new Speaker’s Corner at the World Travel Market.

Micheal Horton and Professor Harold Goodwin at World Travel Market

Jo at Speaker’s Corner, World Travel Market, London

The highlight was, however, probably the presentation of the Virgin Holiday Responsible Tourism Awards 2012. With more than 1600 nominations, it is an impressive feat that Cambodia produced two winners and shows that a lot of progress is being made in this field.

Soria Moria Boutique Hotel;  Best Accommodation for Local Communities
Songsaa Private Island; Best Accommodation for the Environment

Just to be a finalist in the Responsible Tourism Awards is a great achievement and there were many inspiring projects amongst the finalists, so we would like to extend many congratulations to all the winners and finalists.
Thomas Holdø Hansen receives the prestigious Responsible Tourism Award on behalf of Soria Moria

Thomas Holdø Hansen receives the prestigious Responsible Tourism Award on behalf of Soria Moria on World Responsible Tourism Day in London.

Highlights from the Responsible Tourism Awards and World Travel Market can be seen on this link!

Our friend Michael Horton has been featured in this month’s World Travel Market’s Spotlight magazine highlighting his success of running ConCERT in Siem Reap.

Connecting communities and the environment through responsible tourism is the main ethos behind ConCERT which has been set up as a win win entity supporting both the communities and tourists wanting to help in a positive way, but sometimes overwhelmed with the obvious stark poverty which confronts visitors everyday in the tourist town catering for travelers seeing the iconic Angkor Wat. Involving all stakeholders in the tourism process ConCERT ticks the right boxes when using tourism as a poverty alleviation strategy.

Back in 2009 Jo, and some more familiar faces you may recognsie, were featured in Spotlight too. Three years on H.O.P.E still believe in the same ethos that got us started in the first place and has seen tremendous growth thanks to all your support. Back then we weren’t so big. Today we have now raised even more funds to support more projects and even more young adults including Sangkheum, Anjali House, Salariian Kampuchea and This Life Cambodia.

Michael’s commitment to responsible tourism ties in with many of H.O.P.E’s goals and we look forward to working with him again this year in representing Siem Reap’s tourism stakeholders on World Responsible Tourism Day. Read Soria Moria’s blog from last year’s world responsible tourism day and contact us if you would like to get involved!

ConCERT's Office

Khmer New Year - Traditional Foods

Following a wealth of traditional and cultural festivals the Cambodians love a celebration and Khmer New Year is no exception. This time of year most schools, offices and places of work are closed and time spent with families and loved ones usually eating and drinking a little too much.

From the 13th – 15th April Khmer New Year has been celebrated all over the globe with friends in far corners of the world from Montreal, to Hackney, to Siem Reap, to Tokyo and even as far as Sydney!

This particular celebration characterises the end of the harvest season and traditionally farmers would enjoy the fruits of their labour and relax before the start of the rainy season!

Seeing as both HOPE Trustees are back in the UK and feeling a little homesick they thought it would be a good idea to join in the Khmer new year celebrations in London and ventured to Hackney to the Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia Community Center to join fellow friends and new Cambodian friends.

The event was hosted by CASUNIK the UK Cambodian Society whose role is to help, guide and assist Cambodians living in the UK and those related to Cambodia or Cambodians. Their aim is to provide information and resources from a personal or official level.

It was an interesting day, although a shortened version of usual Siem Reap festivities, it followed the standard procedure of events with Buddhist monks chanting the Request of Precepts, making an offering of Dana to the Bikkhus, food and traditional artistic dance performances.

It was especially great to eat Khmer food, specially prepared for the ceremony and after the monks had eaten, it was our chance to get stuck in and enjoy foods we have only ever tasted in the smoldering Cambodian heat! Green papaya salads, beef soups with soft boiled eggs and cocoanut jellies – chnang na! It’s definitely time to get my Sala Bai cook book out and get cooking! Now where did I put that star anise….

For those of you interested in learning more about the Cambodian Society in the UK please visit  www.casunik.org