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Welcome to Phnom Penh
Cambodia’s capital may not boast the ancient Angkorian temples like Siem Reap, but Phnom Penh is a treasure trove of architectural and gastronomic wonder for those who know where to look. The tree-lined boulevards, the bustling riverfront and the city’s emerging arts and shopping scene all make it an attractive stop for any traveller.
The name Phnom Penh literally means Hill of Penh. Legend says a wealthy widow named Daun Penh placed Buddha images on a nearby hill in 1373 and when a town develops around the hill, it became known as Phnom Penh. Despite its turbulent history, the city has experienced unprecedented growth following the restoration of a stable government in 1992.
Phnom Penh has a growing metropolitan nightlife and vibrant young art scene, yet still sits somewhat paradoxically alongside scenes of poverty. Phnom Penh has plenty of attractions to keep you busy - visiting the National Museum, the Royal Palace, Wat Phnom and the infamous Tuol Sleng Museum are a must in any travel itinerary. However, in spite of their historical and cultural significance, these barely scratch the surface of what modern Phnom Penh has to offer.
There are numerous additional things to experience which will give you a better understanding of both the country and the people.
Rehab Craft Cambodia
Run by and for disabled Cambodians, Rehab Craft Cambodia is a not-for-profit, non-religious, non-government organisation providing long-term and sustainable employment opportunities for Cambodians with physical disabilities. A fair trade organisation, it produces and markets quality handicrafts made by disabled artisans. Travellers can tour the workshops and see producers at work.
Cambodian Craft Cooperation
Although weaving and wearing silk continues to be part of Cambodia's cultural and social traditions, most weavers are unaware of their products' value, with little access to markets. Set up to address this, the Cambodian Craft Cooperation supports small and family-run craft enterprises to improve their capacity. Check out the variety of Cambodian silk on offer at the shop.
Sahmakum Teang Tnaut
Sahmakum Teang Tnaut links community architects and designers to housing and infrastructure projects in informal, resource poor and marginalized communities who are willing to help themselves. Travellers are encouraged to get involved in the projects, make donations or just relax at the Epic Arts café in Kampot.
Khmer Architecture Tours
Khmer Architecture Tours (KA Tours) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation established in 2003 to promote the understanding of modern architecture in Cambodia. Our tours focus on buildings erected after Cambodia’s independence in 1953, described as ‘New Khmer Architecture’, while setting these in the historical context of Phnom Penh.
Friends
Founded in 1994, Mith Samlanh (meaning best friend) provides services to over 1,800 children through three main projects: ChildSafe, DrugSafe and the Street Children Network. Travelers can experience a host of activities run by former street youths - dining at three restaurants, visiting three retail outlets or pampering themselves at The Nailbar.
ART+Foundation
Art+Foundation is a German Foundation in Cambodia. Established in 2003, we firmly believe that the performing arts, in particular classical music, have the potential to shape and change our world through creativity, the sharing of common values, learning and communicating.
Pour un Sourire d’Enfant
We provide food, health care, accommodation and education to underprivileged children working and living around a Phnom Penh garbage dump. We run a school offering formal and non-formal education, a Hotel school and attached vocational school, and the main centre on the way to the killing fields, incorporates a handicraft shop, spa and training restaurant.
Smateria
Smateria is a small handicraft workshop and store which designs and sells fashion accessories and costume jewellery. Here, local artisans shape various materials into new forms and ideas every day. All of our products are made from basic materials. Some are recycled and all are sourced locally.
NYEMO
NYEMO aims to provide vulnerable women with the necessary means to regain their dignity and participate actively in the development of their country. Every year, around 800 women who are abused, trafficked, sick, affected by HIV/AIDS and/or abandoned by their families or husbands receive support from us, in addition to around 700 orphans and vulnerable children.
Sovanna Phum
Sovanna Phum (meaning Golden Era) is an independent and self-financed Khmer art association working at the forefront of performing arts in Cambodia. First established in 1994, Sovanna Phum offers real opportunities for Cambodian artists to make a living through their art by organising performances as well as nurturing, preserving and promoting the treasures of Cambodian culture through various projects.
The ChildSafe Project
We are developing a child protection network to prevent all forms of abuse, especially sexual abuse, through carefully selected, trained and monitored ‘facilitators' consisting of taxi drivers, hotels, tourists and non-locals. Members sport the ChildSafe logo and travelers can purchase ChildSafe products and help children go back to school instead of working on the streets.
The Cyclo Centre
Despite their iconic status, cyclo drivers are the poorest of urban poor in Phnom Penh. We provide a space for them to meet and access a range of services including educational, medical and social activities, all provided free-of-charge. We also organize fundraising cyclo rallies and cyclo tours for travelers who want a novel way to see the city.
National Centre of Disabled Persons
Run by disabled people for disabled people, NCDP's five projects directly benefit 1,800 people every year. The Retail Outlet project supports the disabled artists throughout Cambodia in all aspects of handicraft production. In NCDP's main outlet in Phnom Penh, travelers can either browse the offerings made of Cambodian silk or for something unique, make your own home wares.
Artisans Association of Cambodia
AAC is made up of over 30 handicraft member organizations who work with disadvantaged Cambodians to bring back the once prosperous traditions of weaving, woodcarving, pottery and handicraft production. Their products - found in outlets throughout Phnom Penh and provincial towns - combine unique traditional methods with attractive modern designs.
Camory Premium Cookie Boutique
Founded in 2006, Camory brings a local twist to cookies. We infuse local agricultural products such as cashew nuts, sesame seeds and local spices into our cookies. By doing so, we hope to introduce visitors to Cambodia's agricultural produce and their untapped potential as ingredients in quality products.
Meta House
Meta House firmly believes that contemporary art is crucial to the development of any society and is working hard to fill a gap in the arts scene in Cambodia and offers a unique intercultural and interactive forum for artists on three and a half floors. Travellers can enjoy international art house cinema and films and meet and participate in workshops with local and international artists.