The World Bank said earlier this month that Cambodia is one of the East Asian countries that will be worst affected by the financial crisis. Cambodia is already one of the poorest countries in the region. The average salary is US$290 a year -- that's just $5.50 a week. Child labour and the exploitation of women and children for sex is a growing social problem.
But in the face of these grim figures, there are some truly inspirational projects helping to lift young people out of poverty in Cambodia.
One that I visited is called the 'Mith Samlanh/Friends' venture. It's a co-operation between the international 'Friends Building Futures' program and Mith Samlanh, a local Cambodia NGO ("Mith Samlanh" means "friends" in the Cambodian language Khmer).
Mith Samlanh/Friends has set up various businesses as training centres to get children off the streets. There are two restaurants, a café, a nail bar and a shop selling crafts made by the young people.
I had dinner at the Romdeng restaurant, where trainees work under mentors preparing excellent dishes. The spring rolls were especially good, and the restaurant has a very congenial atmosphere, with bright murals.
I also went to the Friends store, a picture is below.
These are projects that need support, so go online and buy a brick to support to Mith Samlanh/Friends project and the street children of Cambodia. www.friendsbuildingfutures.org
I stayed in an excellent boutique hotel in the centre of Phnom Penh: The Pavilion. It's a spacious old colonial building with a lovely pool, great bar and free internet access. Very reasonable rates too!
It also supports the fight against sex trafficking:
Details:
Romdeng
#74 Street 174,
Phnom Penh
Cambodia
+855 (0) 92 219 565
food.friends@everyday.com.kh
www.streetfriends.org
The Pavilion
227, Street 19,
Phnom Penh
Cambodia
+855 (0) 23 22 22 80
reservation@thepavilion.asia
www.thepavilion.asia
