Ethical Shopping Siem Reap · Ethically-Made Christmas Gifts · Social Enterprises Cambodia · Top Tips for Ethical Travel ·Feb 04, 2022

More Social Enterprises to Support in Cambodia

When you visit Cambodia you are bound to come across many Cambodian social enterprises. These social enterprises usually support the work of an NGO (non-government organisation), or simply just care about fair wages and conditions for their workers.

Unless you are staying for an extended period of time, we doubt you will be able to visit every Cambodian social enterprise that exists, as much as you may want to! To help you to shop and dine responsibly, we have composed this short-list of Cambodian social enterprises, in addition to our previous list.

Phare Circus

More than just a circus, Phare performers use theater, music, dance and modern circus arts to tell uniquely Cambodian stories; historical, folk and modern. The young circus artists will astonish you with their energy, emotion, enthusiasm and talent.

Phare artists are students and graduates from Phare Ponleu Selpak’s vocational training center in Battambang. Phare Circus offers these students and graduates somewhere to hone their skills and a place to earn a decent wage. Money that will take them out of poverty and give them self-respect and freedom.

Angkor Handicraft Association

Angkor Handicraft Association is a nonprofit business association that aims to strengthen the local handicraft sector in Siem Reap, promoting and linking Cambodian artisans to local and international markets.

Their fair trade village is open souvenir market that offers a place for local artisans and rural producers to showcase their handicraft and run workshops.

Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre

After visiting the Landmine Museum, we recommend a visit to the Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre, which features an interactive exhibit with a netted tropical garden of over a thousand free-flying butterflies, all of which are native species to Cambodia.

The enclosure is South East Asia's largest butterfly exhibit and provides residents and tourists with an interactive and visual environment to learn about butterflies and support local communities.

Currently 18 families from remote villages are being employed to sustainably farm butterflies for the exhibit.

HAVEN

HAVEN is a social enterprise and a training restaurant for vulnerable young adults from shelters, as well as underprivileged young adults from very poor rural areas. By teaching quality work skills and important life skills, HAVEN prepares these young people for employment and by helping them in their personal development, creating safe and independent futures.

While enjoying a delicious meal in their tropical garden or traditional Khmer house, you are directly supporting their training program and these wonderful young people.