What you will learn and experience in Cambodia.

Integrated Community Development

The day will be spent visiting two to three villages in the provinces surrounding Phnom Penh. Volunteers will be able to see first-hand the power of the micro-savings and Tabitha community development program as they observe and interact with villagers who have just begun the savings program, those who are in the middle, having already reinvested their savings to build income-earning industries, and those who have graduated from the program with houses built and secure financial livelihoods.

Women’s Health Initiative
(Nokor Tep)

We will visit the construction site of the Nokor Tep: The Women’s Hospital. The hospital, spear-headed by Tabitha, will be a venue to treat women in desperate need of gynecological medical care. It will also included and Education and Prevention Unit, Research Unit, and mobile clinics to reach women from all parts of Cambodia.

(For more information and to donate to this great cause visit: nokortep.com)

Visiting and Learning about Recent Historical Sites

Tour sites relevant to modern history: Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields.

In order to understand Cambodia’s current economic situation, it is imperative to learn about its modern history, particularly the personal and national devastation caused by the Khmer Rouge. These tours will offer insight into why a once flourishing nation is now in the slow process of rebuilding.

Orientation and Travel to Province

We’ll begin the day with a formal orientation by Janne Ritskes, the founder of Tabitha. From her we will learn more of the history of Cambodia and the various programs provided by Tabitha with personal example from the lives of her staff members.

We will also be able to shop at the Tabitha Silk Store. Another socially-responsible cottage industry, the store sells high-quality scarves, bags, ornaments, bedding, etc., made by women who have escaped the destructive and demoralizing sex industry and now have safe, edifying employment with fair wages.

We will then drive to house-building sites (in outlying provinces).

House Building and Housewarming

Now the sweaty fun begins! Be prepared to spend the day on your knees with a hammer in hand and watch as volunteers and community families together build a dream—quite literally. After which, we have the pleasure of presenting the families will a modest housewarming gift provided by Tabitha, and see the joy as they enter their new homes!

Culture and Country

To wrap up the service learning opportunity we will continue our education and tourism with a trip to Angkor Wat and other significant temples from the glory days of the Khmer empire. In so doing we can be humbled by the knowledge that despite their recent economic instabilities the Khmer are an ingenious, industrious, and artistic people, who, with the right tools will again build a great nation.

Lunch and dinners at socially-responsible restaurants, which provide vocational training for at risk youth—and that serve delicious food!

We stay at hotels that promote ecologically sustainable development and serve as a training hotel for disadvantaged youth wanting a career in the hospitality industry.